Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, which covers symptoms such as flattened affect and intermittent depression. The Board found the severity of his symptoms more closely approximated a 50 percent rating than a higher one.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the loss or loss of use of a hand or foot, permanent vision impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip. Therefore, he is not eligible for financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since the initial grant of service connection in June 2016. The rating agency found that his symptoms, including reduced reliability and productivity, have not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, because it was granted in a previous rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being reviewed with a focus on verifying stressors and determining if his current symptoms are related to his in-service experiences.

Service connection has been granted for depression, headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea. An effective date prior to December 22, 2014 for service connection of right ear hearing loss and tinnitus is denied.,A 10% evaluation for mechanical lower back pain was granted with an effective date of February 6, 2014. Claims for earlier effective dates were dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression was initially denied in December 2015. The Board has now reopened the claim due to new evidence received since then, which relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim (the occurrence of a personal assault during service). The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his in-service personal assault and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances for clotrimazole and hydrophilic creams due to lack of connection with a service-connected skin disability. The case is remanded for further consideration regarding the bilateral knee braces.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, was denied. The Veteran also had a noncompensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's left shoulder condition, head injury, and degenerative changes of the lumbar spine are not service-connected.,Service connection for major depressive disorder is remanded.

The Veteran was granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine effective April 1, 2009.,TDIU based on major depressive disorder and other service-connected disabilities was also granted effective April 1, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Agent Orange exposure is denied. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are currently rated as the maximum allowed under VA regulations. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder) and left index finger disability require further examination to determine appropriate ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional notice and development regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, MDD, and PTSD, are found to have begun in service and continue since then. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder and depressive disorder, has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to her military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, as secondary to his service-connected keloid scars. The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran’s psychiatric disorders were caused by or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral flat feet and a psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is required to provide new and material evidence or undergo further examination.

The Board denied service connection for lung cancer and brain cancer, but granted service connection for depression. The decision also remanded the issue of service connection for brain cancer.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the evaluation of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. However, there is no current diagnosis of a psychiatric condition, and thus service connection cannot be granted.