Depression Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, bilateral pes planus, and unspecified depressive disorder. The decision also remanded issues regarding these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for service-connected depressive disorder is granted, and his claims for service connection for tinnitus, headaches, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and obstructive sleep apnea are all denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that this rating is appropriate based on his symptoms of occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for unspecified depressive disorder with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is denied. The current rating adequately reflects the Veteran's symptoms, which include occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been reopened. His major depressive disorder (previously PTSD) is rated at 70 percent, effective December 29, 2016. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right knee condition, and increased rating for right tibia stress fracture have been denied due to lack of credible in-service stressor events, no evidence of arthritis within the presumptive period, and insufficient medical nexus opinions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) are remanded. The Veteran needs to be provided with a VA examination to determine if his major depressive disorder is etiologically linked to active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD and a depressive disorder is being remanded due to allegations of clear and unmistakable error in previous denial decisions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and unresolved medical questions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to lack of active duty service and need for further clarification on specific dates of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA. The Appellant is also required to provide information about in-service incidents leading to his current conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder are rated at a 70 percent disability level prior to December 15, 2016.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's service connection for a mood disorder NOS (claimed as depression) associated with erectile dysfunction is restored effective May 1, 2017. The evidence shows that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is more likely than not secondary to his service-connected erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that the VA's duty to assist was not fulfilled in obtaining employment information from the Veteran's former employer, and thus remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and insomnia are dismissed. The claim of increased rating for asthma is denied, but a 30% rating is granted effective May 5, 2015. The right knee disability rating reduction from 10% to noncompensable is overturned, and the 10% rating is restored. The back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy issues are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a chronic acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, is denied. The earliest possible effective date considered in this appeal is February 8, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD caused occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a 30 percent disability rating. The symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating to 100 percent for service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is granted, effective January 13, 2017. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot.