Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent disabling for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and neurocognitive disorder was denied.,The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date prior to December 29, 2014 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus was denied.,The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date prior to December 29, 2014 for an increased rating of 50 percent disabling for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and neurocognitive disorder was remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and special monthly compensation were dismissed as the Appellant requested withdrawal of all appeals before the Board.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, kidney condition, left shoulder disability, and depressive disorder associated with service-connected conditions due to new VA treatment records being added to the file. The SSOC must be issued after considering all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD with associated depression and anxiety, is granted due to the evidence showing a link between her in-service stressor and current symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for further verification of her exposure to herbicide agents and/or chemicals at Fort McClellan. The AOJ will conduct additional development, including potential VA medical examinations and nexus opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The right ankle and back conditions are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of all psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition and MDD, finding no evidence of a current disability related to service. The Board also remanded the issues regarding PTSD and anxiety disorder for further development.,The Veteran was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder in 2017 but did not meet DSM-5 criteria at that time. A new examination is needed to determine if his anxiety disorder is related to his reported in-service trauma.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 23, 2007 for the grant of Total Disability Independent of Regular Employment (TDIU) based on service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his reported military stressors. Service connection was denied for diabetes mellitus type II due to a stay by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent prior to May 9, 2017. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition and a right shoulder condition.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (including depression and PTSD) and a right shoulder condition are both being remanded due to procedural deficiencies in previous rating decisions.

The Veteran's appeals for TDIU and an increased rating for PTSD have been withdrawn by her representative, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is dismissed as he withdrew the issue from appeal.,Service connection for left and right knee conditions, diagnosed as patellofemoral pain syndrome, is granted due to continuity of symptomatology since service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive disorder with alcohol dependence, is granted based on credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors and a current diagnosis of PTSD.,Service connection for traumatic brain injury is granted due to a documented in-service skull fracture.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and substance use disorder is rated at 70 percent from July 31, 2017. The GERD with history of duodenal ulcer and peptic ulcer disease is rated at 60 percent effective as of July 27, 2017.

The Veteran's service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted. For the entire appeal period, a rating in excess of 10 percent for depressive disorder is denied from February 20, 2017 onwards.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, finding no current disability to support the claim and insufficient evidence of a causal relationship between any present psychiatric disorder and military service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, diagnosed as PTSD, has been rated at 50 percent since the initial rating decision. The Board found that her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and insomnia. The examiner needs to address whether these conditions are related to service or if they clearly existed prior to service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and reopening of a previously denied tuberculin reaction claim were all denied. The adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety was rated at 30% prior to May 19, 2015, and 50% thereafter.

The Board has granted service connection for a depressive disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.