Depression Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depressive disorder, and adjustment disorder. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV or DSM-5, and the diagnoses were related to post-service events.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD. The Board has also remanded his claims for knee disabilities due to the need for additional examinations and verification of stressors.

The Veteran's urinary frequency, due to his service-connected hypertension and medication use, is rated at 40 percent. The Veteran also meets the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The appeal is remanded due to a violation of VA regulations regarding the conduct of a hearing. The Veteran was not properly notified and did not have the opportunity to attend the hearing.

The Veteran was granted service connection for various conditions, including anxiety disorder and depression, lumbar strain and intervertebral disc syndrome, right lower extremity sciatica, and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection was denied for cervical spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition to include PTSD, major depressive disorder, and major neurocognitive disorder was rated at 50 percent from March 7, 2012, to February 22, 2016. From May 1, 2016, to April 4, 2018, the Veteran's psychiatric condition was rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Depression, has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD under DSM-V criteria and concluded that his depression is less likely related to service. For TDIU, as the Veteran is not service-connected for any disabilities, he does not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

Service connection is granted for a back condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, depression, and headaches secondary to service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities.,An effective date prior to July 6, 2015, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to substantiate the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and several other musculoskeletal issues. The decision also includes remands for tinnitus and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's disability rating for degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine with mild abnormal thoracic curvature was reduced from 20% to 10%, effective May 1, 2013. The reduction is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and increased ratings for cervical spine disability, major depressive disorder (MDD), post concussive headaches, and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted. The claims for respiratory disorder (claimed as sinusitis) and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, has been reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim. However, further development is needed as a supplemental VA opinion is required regarding whether his current mood disorder due to general medical condition is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder has not resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, so he is not entitled to a higher rating than the current 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of left lower extremity femoral neuropathy was denied, but he was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to additional relevant VA treatment records being added to her claims file.

The Board has determined that the claim of an earlier effective date for service connection for depression is dismissed. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of a stressor and that current pathology is unrelated to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and MDD were rated at a 70 percent for the period prior to November 5, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran will need a new examination to determine if he has PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and whether these conditions are related to his military service.