Depression Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD and major depressive disorder are related to his reported in-service military sexual trauma. The examiner is also requested to address whether any other acquired psychiatric disabilities, including those not previously service-connected, are causally or etiologically related to his active service.

The Board has denied service connection for a right elbow condition and remanded the issue of service connection for major depressive disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issues of rating higher than 70 percent for a psychiatric disability and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Board has vacated the previous decisions and remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion on service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his grants of service connection for lumbosacral strain and major depressive disorder, finding that the proper effective date is May 11, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder and depression have been rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher 70 percent rating is warranted due to significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder prior to April 7, 2016 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depression, body muscle spasms (now claimed as arthritis right hip and bilateral wrist), status-post intercostal neuritis (claimed as chest pain), loss of teeth for compensation purposes, TDIU, and specially adapted housing are all remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need for additional evidence. The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for loss of teeth for compensation purposes is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder and anxiety, finding that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions or establish their relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for status post hairline fracture of the left medial patella and a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus have been dismissed.,The Veteran's applications to reopen his claims for service connection for right knee, right hip, left hip, and acquired psychiatric disabilities are granted. The claims for nerve condition, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, arthritis, lumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal of his initial disability rating for major depressive disorder is dismissed as he has withdrawn the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and left varicocele, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted the claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current mental health issues and service.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of a psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed with additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since the initial grant of service connection in April 2017. The Board found that his symptoms, while impairing, did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as he experienced reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, anxiety, and occasional intrusive thoughts.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA must obtain a new medical opinion specifying the Veteran’s current psychiatric disorders and their etiology, distinguishing between symptoms attributable to each diagnosis.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has worsened to the point of total occupational and social impairment, leading to a grant of a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and all issues on appeal have been dismissed.