Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records and private treatment records from Dr. J.L.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and alcohol abuse disorder are granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The effective date for this grant is June 29, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment beginning on July 28, 2016. The Board granted an effective date of July 28, 2016 for the award of a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, to include as secondary his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder due to chronic pain syndrome, with major depressive-like episode is service-connected because his right ankle disorder caused his mental health condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected major depressive disorder, an initial compensable rating for migraine variants, and service connection for IBS. Additional development is needed as per the instructions provided.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 30 percent for Major Depressive Disorder prior to May 5, 2015 was granted. From May 5, 2015 to January 8, 2017, the Veteran received a 30 percent rating and from January 8, 2017 onwards, he received a 70 percent rating for Major Depressive Disorder. The claim for TDIU was also granted.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including obsessive compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder with agoraphobia, and unspecified depressive disorder, was rated at 70 percent prior to January 30, 2015. The rating is denied as the symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and lack of a proper opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression. The AOJ must obtain in-service mental health clinic records and provide an addendum opinion by a clinician addressing the etiology of the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is granted, and the issue of TDIU prior to November 15, 2010 is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder secondary to service-connected tinnitus and denied a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for anxiety with stress and depression due to a lack of medical evidence addressing whether these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.,The Veteran's entrance examination did not reveal any umbilical hernia, but his service treatment records indicate that he developed increased pain in this area during basic training. The Board has also remanded the claim for an umbilical hernia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted with a 50% rating effective May 14, 2004. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for any acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and PTSD. A new examination is required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bi-polar disorder, and depression is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to evaluate his mental health condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that there was no credible evidence of in-service stressors or a link between current psychiatric conditions and service.

The Board found that the reduction from a 50% to a 10% disability rating for depressive disorder was proper due to material improvement in the Veteran's condition, and that this improvement will be maintained under ordinary conditions of life. The appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for major depression, left knee and right knee disabilities due to additional development being necessary. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is now rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The Board also granted a TDIU for the period prior to December 20, 2016.