Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder (claimed as a nervous condition), was reopened due to new and material evidence. The claims for service connection for PTSD and TDIU are remanded.

Service connection for PTSD is granted.,Service connection for unspecified depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected back condition is granted.,The Veteran's multiple joint arthritis claim is remanded.,The Veteran's cervical spondylosis and right knee conditions are both remanded.,The Veteran's left knee strain rating is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include unspecified depressive disorder and PTSD is granted. The Veteran's fear of losing his life during the USS Enterprise fire is considered a contributing factor in his current diagnosis.,COPD due to asbestos exposure is dismissed.

The Veteran's MDD has been granted an initial 70 percent rating, effective December 29, 2014. The decision also includes a remand for the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and panic disorder is granted a 100 percent disability rating. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea (claimed as secondary to service-connected PTSD and/or back disability) is remanded. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to June 10, 2015 is dismissed due to the grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD. The issues of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with spondylolisthesis and right knee medial femoral chondromalacia status post tibial osteotomy are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, specifically her PTSD and depression. The case will be addressed on its merits with an addendum opinion from a qualified clinician.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inextricably intertwined issues and for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and alcohol dependence is denied as the preponderance of evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD or any other mental health condition related to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, neurodegenerative disorder, and PTSD and depression. A VA medical opinion is needed in each case.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and depressive disorder are found to be the proximate cause of his obstructive sleep apnea, which is granted as secondary to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder was denied in a previous decision. New evidence has been submitted, reopening the claim. The case is remanded to determine if there is a relationship between the condition and service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot condition, right foot condition, varicose veins, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression). However, the Board denied these claims as there is no evidence linking any of these conditions to service.

The Veteran's right foot disability, major depressive disorder (MDD), and mandible condition have been granted service connection. The mandible condition is remanded for further examination.

Service connection is granted for major depressive disorder.,The claim for service connection for a tonsil condition, low back disability, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, BPH, nerve conditions of the lower and upper extremities, and skin rash is denied.

The Board denied service connection for Antisocial Personality Disorder and Acquired Psychiatric Disorders, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not of such severity to preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment, and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder is related to his service-connected disabilities, including degenerative joint disease of the left ankle, right knee pain status post-surgery, ligament tear of the left thumb, and status post deep vein thrombosis of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with depressive disorder was denied in 2009, and the decision became final. The Veteran attempted to reopen his claim on February 10, 2012, but he did not perfect an appeal before that date. Therefore, the effective date cannot be prior to February 10, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher initial rating for coronary artery disease and service connection for chronic depression and memory loss due to incomplete consideration of his claims, including failure to provide an adequate statement of the case (SOC) and insufficient METs testing.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records and an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and his service-connected right ankle disability.