Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is remanded due to inconsistencies in his claims file, including VA medical records and examination reports that do not fully support his assertion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric disorder is granted, and her claim for right toe injury secondary to service-connected right foot injury is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including alcohol use disorder, depression, and personality disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of a current diagnosis for any of these conditions other than alcohol abuse.

The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 30 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to August 1, 2015 was withdrawn. The initial rating for PTSD from June 8, 2004 was granted at 70%, and the grant of TDIU also took effect on that date.

The Veteran's CAD is granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure. The psychiatric diagnoses of PTSD, depression, and anxiety are remanded for a supplemental medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and initial evaluations have been dismissed.,His claims for service connection for bilateral high frequency hearing loss and lumbar spine condition with radiculopathy are reopened, but the latter is remanded due to additional development needed.

The Veteran's spondylosis cervical spine C5-C6 was aggravated while on active duty, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with features of depression, anxiety and chronic sleep impairment is currently rated at 70 percent. The Board found that the symptoms do not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to hip disabilities and depressive disorder. The Board has remanded these issues for further review, including service connection determinations.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and higher initial rating for major depressive disorder was denied. The Board found that the earliest effective date for service connection is June 17, 2009, as no correspondence prior to this date can be construed as a formal or informal claim. The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted due to his service-connected depression preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, based on a current diagnosis related to verified in-service stressors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of January 13, 2010 for the award of service connection of other specified depressive disorder. The claim is remanded for the RO to assign a disability rating in the first instance.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder and anxiety, is granted as service connected. The Board found that the current disability is related to in-service events.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of anxiety disorders and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression are related to his service, including combat exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, Major Depression, and related disabilities are granted. The claims for CFS, fibromyalgia, and a skin disability are denied.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded because the VA examiner did not address whether his depression could be a contributing factor to his sleep apnea. The case will need to be reviewed with an updated examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The claims include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, secondary to coronary artery disease, and a claim for an initial compensable evaluation for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and nightmares, is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of such a condition.