Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected depression associated with epiphysiodesis of the left femur is granted a 70 percent rating from June 17, 2014. The claim for more than a 70 percent rating for psychiatric disability prior to that date is denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include major depressive disorder, is remanded due to a lack of a VA examination to determine if any current acquired psychiatric disability was related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including major depressive disorder with other specified trauma, lumbosacral strain, cervical strain, and patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, are being remanded for further development due to new evidence added to her claims file.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeal is granted to that extent.

The Board has remanded the case for a new examination and opinion to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder, as well as other psychiatric disorders. The remand includes addressing previous diagnoses and stressors from service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee degenerative joint disease is denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder as secondary to his bilateral knee disabilities is granted.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder are granted as service-connected.,PTSD is denied. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, characterized as other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, is rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, Anxiety Disorder, and Depressive Disorder are service-connected due to in-service trauma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability alone is sufficient to warrant a TDIU effective June 28, 2014. Additionally, his other service-connected disabilities are rated at least 60% disabling, meeting the criteria for SMC under Section 1114(s) of the VA Benefits Act.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has remanded the claims for a lower back disability and liver disability.

The Veteran's headaches, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder due to medical conditions with major depressive episode and anxious distress features) are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's headaches, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder based on a direct relationship to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders. The case will be reviewed after obtaining verified service information and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for back injury, lumbar degenerative disc disease, anxiety and depression as secondary to lumbar degenerative disc disease, and hypertension has been granted.,Service connection is also being remanded for the issue of whether hypertension is secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, are related to her military service, specifically the claimed incidents of MST. However, there is conflicting medical evidence regarding whether these conditions are directly related to the MST events or if they are secondary to other stressors such as homelessness.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of a mental disorder was granted. Service connection is also granted for persistent depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the retrieval of outstanding treatment records to determine if a compensable rating can be assigned for bilateral iritis (uveitis).,The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the retrieval of outstanding treatment records to determine if an initial compensable rating can be assigned for right hip flexion impairment and left hip flexion impairment.,The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the retrieval of outstanding treatment records to determine if an initial compensable rating can be assigned for right hip/thigh rotation impairment and left hip/thigh rotation impairment.,The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the retrieval of outstanding treatment records to determine if an initial rating in excess of 10 percent can be assigned for right hip extension impairment and left hip extension impairment.,The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the retrieval of outstanding treatment records to determine if an increased rating (to a 50 percent) can be assigned for unspecified depressive disorder with panic disorder as of June 30, 2017.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a leg injury, breathing problems (sinusitis and rhinitis), and major depressive disorder. The claims for increased ratings for right ankle and back conditions are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee condition. The issues of service connection for PFB, an acquired psychiatric condition (to include depression), hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination for service connection of anxiety, depression, and PTSD.