Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's major depression is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, is granted service connection. The Board found that the current diagnosis of major depressive disorder was at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the left knee, right knee, and right ankle tendonitis. The decision is based on a lack of current diagnoses meeting DSM criteria for PTSD and insufficient evidence linking any diagnosed conditions to service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is not service-connected, and his other mental health symptoms are accounted for by his service-connected PTSD. The Board denied the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder as secondary to his service-connected hearing loss and/or tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pes planus, right toe injury, and knee disorders are related to service. The claims are remanded for further examination and medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his current psychiatric condition is not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, including a review of pre-service mental health conditions and stressor verification.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for antisocial personality disorder with major depressive disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to lack of clear and unmistakable evidence that these conditions pre-existed service or were aggravated by service. The Veteran is also requested to provide additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder was granted with an effective date of November 8, 2002. The new VA treatment records received within one year of the February 2003 rating decision denying his claim were considered relevant to the Veteran’s initial claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran was exposed to traumatic events during service and claims these caused his current conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical opinions and unclear diagnoses. The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted, but his psychosis/paranoia issue requires clarification from a qualified independent medical expert.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hearing loss in the right ear, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a sleep disorder due to potential issues with obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD and related conditions are currently rated at 30 percent from May 17, 2012 and 70 percent from July 5, 2018. The Board has found that the Veteran’s new lay testimony suggests a worsening of his condition since his last VA medical examination, necessitating further evaluation. Additionally, the TDIU claim is remanded due to unclear employment history.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder. However, further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and bipolar depression, due to inadequate VCAA notice and an insufficient VA examination. The Veteran is asked to provide any relevant private treatment records and his opinion on the nature of his mental health conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine the validity of the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, PTSD, and depression. The claim will be remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for joint pain, an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep disturbance, memory loss, fatigue, and headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression), tinnitus, sinusitis, and sleep disturbances must be remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for major depressive disorder and service connection for erectile dysfunction are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.