Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depressive disorder and an increased rating for hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection, particularly concerning PTSD and major depressive disorder. The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, should be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and need for additional development.

The Veteran is seeking Section 1151 compensation for various conditions resulting from a pancreatectomy and related surgeries performed by VA. The Board has determined that additional disability was caused, but the specific cause of this disability (caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA) needs to be clarified.,The Veteran is also seeking Section 1151 compensation for PTSD, anxiety, and depression as a result of the pancreatectomy. The Board has determined that additional disability was caused, but the specific cause (caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA) needs to be clarified.

The Board has denied service connection for prostate gland injuries and traumatic brain injury, and remanded the issues of service connection for anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and depression, as well as evaluation greater than 10 percent for pityriasis versicolor. The Veteran is also required to provide new evidence to reopen his claim for service connection for depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a higher rating. The Veteran needs an in-person VA examination due to his incarceration.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a 70% disability rating for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and cocaine-use disorder. The Veteran's condition was found to have worsened more than one year prior to the claim.

The Veteran's death is due to mental health issues, specifically Major Depressive Disorder. The appellant disagrees with the denial of service connection for MDD and whether a timely notice of disagreement was received for the cause of death. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability due to military sexual trauma (MST), including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and Major depressive disorder (MDD). The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has determined that a supplemental VA opinion is needed to address whether the Veteran's sleep apnea was proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was granted a 70 percent evaluation, but no higher. The Board also granted the Appellant's request to be substituted for the Veteran in this appeal and found that he met the criteria for entitlement to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with left upper extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, and psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depression, and nervous disorder) due to incomplete records and need for additional information regarding stressors.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and an earlier effective date have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claims.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for depression prior to June 29, 2009 has been dismissed as the Veteran's representative requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and their relation to service. A VA examination is needed for a proper determination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for major depression with anxiety, as well as her claims for effective date prior to January 13, 2014 and TDIU, were all denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for depression, heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia due to new and material evidence. However, these claims have not been substantiated as there is no established link between the current conditions and military service.

The Board dismissed all the claims due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an examination, as it is unclear whether the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with Depressive Disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision.