Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of evidence and need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, cyclothymic disorder, and depression due to a lack of current medical diagnosis and no link between his conditions and in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, and secondary service connection of acquired psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's testimony and VA examination reports are considered credible, but further medical opinions are needed.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and unspecified depressive disorder. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with panic disorder and major depressive disorder was granted effective March 18, 2013. This decision is based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran in March 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's allegations of military sexual trauma during service are credible and have found sufficient evidence to diagnose her with PTSD and MDD, finding them likely due to her in-service experiences. As a result, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

Service connection for low back disability is denied. A rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder is granted, effective December 11, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since May 21, 2017. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and temporary total evaluation due to insufficient evidence regarding his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a TBI and PTSD is granted. The claims for neck disability, right foot disability, right shoulder disability, left foot disability, and separate rating for depression are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder, left knee, and low back disabilities. Service connection was denied for right upper extremity numbness and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as PTSD, is granted a rating of 50 percent. The Veteran's tinnitus and TDIU claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in determining whether there was a need for a medical examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, are now subject to further review.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Veteran's abdominal scarring and shin splints were denied service connection. The Veteran's lumbar strain, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and left leg shin splints with moderate knee disability are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, generalized anxiety disorder with major depression prior to April 11, 2016, sleep apnea, GERD, right wrist sprain with avascular necrosis, status post removal of necrotic bone, psoriasis, diabetes, right ankle sprain, right knee disorder, right foot disorder, bilateral leg disorder, chest disorder, residuals of head injury including scar, and vocal chords disorder are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a 100 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder with depression is granted effective June 11, 2015. The claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease (claimed as heart condition), sleep apnea (claimed as sleeping condition), and hypertension are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is reopened, and the case is remanded to attempt verification of his reported stressors. The Veteran also has a pending increased rating claim for his bilateral wrist disability and TDIU claim.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to in-service sexual harassment and assault.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and coronary artery disease have all been granted service connection. The Veteran also received an increased rating for his depressive disorder.

The Veteran seeks an effective date earlier than March 7, 2002 for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder.,The Veteran also seeks an effective date earlier than June 18, 2008 for the assignment of a 100 percent rating for major depressive disorder.