Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals regarding the ratings for his service-connected major depressive disorder, the propriety of a reduction in the rating from 50 to 30 percent, and challenging the effective date of that reduction have been withdrawn by the Veteran's attorney. As such, these matters are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder is being remanded due to the addition of VA mental health treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cold weather injuries and PTSD, have prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since June 13, 2012. He is granted a TDIU effective that date.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to deficiencies in the current evidence. Specifically, a VA examination is needed to determine if any psychiatric disability is related to service, and another examination is required to assess the severity of the right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The effective date remains pending as it is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for CAD is denied as there is no legal authority to assign such a date, and CUE has not been raised.,The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for angioedema due to allergic reaction to medication remains remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease, speech impairment, hypertension, memory and cognitive impairment, and depression as secondary to Parkinson's disease due to in-service exposure to chemical solvents and jet fuel.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, anxiety, and depression have been rated at 70 percent since March 29, 2013, due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine DDD and radiculopathy. His lumbar spine DDD is granted a 40% rating, which is the maximum available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and an unspecified anxiety disorder, is remanded for further evaluation due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for depression with anxiety, and has remanded the issues of service connection for a back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastrointestinal disability, migraine headaches, psychiatric disability (including PTSD), rectum disability, and bilateral eye disability due to lack of a medical opinion on their etiology.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, recurrent with polysubstance abuse, resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board found the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms more closely approximated a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder is granted as service-connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected depressive disorder was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for his depressive disorder was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD and a higher rating for depressive disorder with anxious features due to new evidence received since the last decision.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are found to have been incurred during service.,His unspecified depressive disorder is determined to be secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches.,Bilateral hearing loss is denied as not related to service.,Back, neck, left knee, and right knee disorders are all denied as not related to service.,Right eye and left eye disorders are also denied as not related to service.,Diabetes mellitus is denied as not related to service.,Peripheral neuropathy in the upper extremities and lower extremities are both denied as not related to service.

Service connection for major depressive disorder is restored, and the appeal regarding an increased rating from April 1, 2014 to November 7, 2014 is granted. The Veteran's current rating of 30 percent for major depressive disorder remains effective since April 1, 2014.

The Veteran's service connection for depression as a separate disability from PTSD is denied, and his initial rating for type II diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent. The TDIU issue is remanded.