Depression Board decisions

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for meningitis, renal failure as secondary to meningitis, headaches as secondary to meningitis, PTSD as secondary to meningitis, depressive disorder as secondary to meningitis, and anxiety disorder as secondary to meningitis. The Board found that the appellant does not have any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, and dementia have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claims are granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression was dismissed. The appeals for the remaining conditions were denied or remanded.

The Veteran's panic disorder with agoraphobia and depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, was productive of no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to April 3, 2017. An increased rating of 50 percent, but no higher, is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the criteria for an earlier effective date were not met.

The Veteran's service-connected eczema has been granted TDIU effective February 2013, and SMC at the housebound rate is granted as of August 11, 2017.,The Veteran’s other service-connected disabilities include depressive disorder (rated 70%), headaches (rated 50%), lumbar strain (rated 10%), tinnitus (rated 10%), gastroesophageal reflux disease (rated 10%), patellofemoral syndrome of right and left knee (noncompensable), hypertension (noncompensable), acne vulgaris (noncompensable), temporalmandibular joint dysfunction (noncompensable).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and gastrointestinal disability due to insufficient evidence. The effective dates for TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits are denied as they were assigned on May 26, 2012.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, and no longer has jurisdiction over the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to intervertebral disc syndrome, bilateral leg pain, major depressive disorder, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, tension headaches, and left shoulder strain must be remanded due to inadequate examination reports and need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, are related to his service. The claim is reopened based on new evidence.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the medical evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric condition and its relation to service or a service-connected disability. A new examination is needed to clarify these issues.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection, a higher initial disability evaluation for PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol abuse, and TDIU were all denied. The Board found that the earliest date of claim was February 10, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder was granted effective May 20, 2017. The decision found that there was new and material evidence to reopen her original claim from 1996.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, headaches, and persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress have been reopened. The claim for service connection for a low back disability is being remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches are also being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressor and need for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety and depression is granted. The claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, left knee and back disorders are denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent rating, effective as of the date of decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for depressive disorder, TDIU, and service connection for sleep apnea due to potential new evidence and need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and a VA examination.