Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of cervical spine disability is pending and needs to be addressed.,The reduction from 30 percent to 20 percent for cervical spine disability, effective May 17, 2016, is also under review.

A 50 percent rating, but no higher, for panic disorder with agoraphobia and depression prior to August 16, 2011.,A 70 percent rating, but not higher, for panic disorder from August 16, 2011 to September 7, 2011.,TDIU due to service-connected disability beginning August 16, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety as secondary to service-connected migraines, should be remanded due to inadequate examination findings and need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD with a depressive disorder not otherwise specified is rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant an increase to higher ratings. The appeal for service connection of sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD was also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history. His claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasoning in a previous medical opinion, and requires further examination for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant, through his authorized representative, requested withdrawal of all issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records. The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder with major depression is being evaluated again as her symptoms have worsened. Additionally, the claim of service connection for fibromyalgia secondary to PTSD/Depression needs to be adjudicated before addressing individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee disability, left knee disability, and right hip disability due to inadequate examinations and lack of consideration of lay statements regarding in-service exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were granted in a December 2014 rating decision, but the Board found that no earlier effective date could be assigned as there was no evidence of an earlier claim. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's GAD and Major Depressive Disorder are rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The Board also granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background, thus denying his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression secondary to his service-connected disabilities is being remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The Veteran's initial 70 percent evaluation for unspecified depressive disorder is granted. The TDIU claim is remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and other relevant documents.

The Board has remanded the case due to a substitution determination being required before service connection for a hip disability can be adjudicated.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for anxiety and depression, as well as PTSD, were denied. The decision found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for anxiety and depression, and there was no verified stressor to support the diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's left foot condition is rated at 30 percent, but no higher. The Veteran’s MDD is now rated at 70 percent.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the etiology of low back disability and psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected, with the condition being related to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder is denied due to insufficient evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression is granted as secondary to his service-connected back and ankle disabilities. Service connection for neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities is denied.