Depression Board decisions

The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection and rating for the Veteran's conditions due to their death.

The Board dismissed the claims of service connection for various conditions as they are not eligible due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is attributable to service and the claim for service connection has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including posttraumatic stress disorder and depressive disorder, has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, insomnia, and depression, is being remanded due to procedural issues and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD, and his combined disability rating is sufficient to grant a TDIU prior to August 3, 2017.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder were rated at 50% from July 13, 2010 to August 6, 2018. The rating was granted as the symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's major depression is granted as secondary to service-connected back, knee and shoulder disabilities. The right wrist disability is remanded for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and in-service stressors or events.

The Veteran's tremors are found to be related to his military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.,The claims of secondary service connection for depression and anxiety (including as secondary to tremors) are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for depression has been granted. The Board has also remanded the case due to the need for further development and examination regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including verification of in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are being considered secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for the Director of Compensation Service to determine if an extraschedular rating prior to October 1, 2018, is warranted.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further action due to insufficient medical opinions and evidence regarding the Veteran's left ankle condition, major depressive disorder, and TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and psychiatric disorders due to unclear examination reports, lack of stressor verification, and need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The VA examiner needs to provide an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran’s restrictive pulmonary tuberculosis or genitourinary tuberculosis caused or aggravated any of his diagnosed psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for depression NOS and anxiety NOS prior to February 20, 2014 was denied. The claim for TDIU prior to June 16, 2011 was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder with psychotic features and mood disorder due to TBI was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD is denied as there was no prior claim made before August 23, 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional records and a possible VA examination, as well as the possibility of new evidence being considered.