Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, epigastric pain, and PTSD is granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is set at November 3, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to VA treatment is remanded as the Board cannot make a fully-informed decision without further examination and evidence.

The Board has remanded both the claim for an increased rating and the TDIU claim due to inconsistencies in the evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's psychiatric conditions. A new VA examination is required to provide a clearer understanding of his current symptomology.

The Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder is found to be etiologically related to active military service, and the claim for this condition is granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to corroborate the Veteran's claimed stressors and a need for an opinion regarding the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Nonspecific Depressive Disorder. Additional development is needed to verify the claimed stressor and determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for a right shoulder disability, hypertension, asthma, major depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, kidney and heart disabilities (secondary to hypertension), headaches, vertigo, and temporary total rating are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence or examinations.,The Veteran’s hypertension is being remanded as there is insufficient information regarding its onset and whether it is related to service-connected conditions. The examiner must also determine if her hypertension is aggravated by her service-connected right shoulder disability.,The Veteran's asthma is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion on whether she had breathing problems during service that could have led to her current condition.,The Veteran’s major depressive disorder is being remanded as there is insufficient information regarding its onset and whether it is related to service-connected conditions. The examiner must also determine if her depression is aggravated by her service-connected right shoulder disability.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion on whether she had sugar in her urine during service or if her condition is aggravated by her service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran’s kidney and heart disabilities (secondary to hypertension) are being remanded as there is insufficient information regarding their onset and relationship to her hypertension.,The Veteran's headaches and vertigo are being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion on whether they are related to her cervical spine disability. The examiner must also determine if her conditions are aggravated by her service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran’s temporary total rating is being remanded as there is insufficient information regarding her need for convalescence following surgery.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, to include depression, anxiety and panic attacks, as due to MST was reopened. The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current PTSD is related to an in-service sexual trauma incident, thus granting service connection.

The claim of service connection for PTSD is reopened, but the Veteran's current diagnoses are unclear and conflicting. The Board has decided to remand the case for a psychiatric examination to clarify the nature and etiology of any posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's depressive disorder and to determine if he qualifies for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 70 percent for his psychiatric disability prior to June 1, 2015.,A higher rating in excess of 50 percent is denied for the period beginning June 1, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is rated at 100 percent, and her additional service-connected disabilities combine to be ratable at 60 percent or more. Therefore, she is entitled to a 100 percent rating for PTSD and SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a depressive disorder and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. As his combined rating is at least 60%, he meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder with psychotic features, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder is at least as likely as not related to a personal assault in service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis in his hands and fingers, a psychiatric disorder, arthritis of his hips, cervical spine, left knee, wrists, and right knee. The issues of arthritis of the bilateral hips, cervical spine, left knee, and bilateral wrists have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions. The issue of hypertension has also been remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was rated at 70 percent prior to August 26, 2005 and from August 26, 2005 to July 12, 2006. From July 13, 2006 onwards, the rating remained at 70 percent.

The Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as dysthymia or depressive disorder, is granted. However, the rating in excess of 20 percent for chronic lumbosacral strain remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran is required to provide an addendum opinion from a qualified medical professional using DSM-5 criteria.

Service connection is restored for depressive disorder, and the Veteran's claims for residuals of uvulectomy, obstructive sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, and degenerative disc disease of the lower back are all granted.

The Veteran's service-connected depression and left knee disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since February 24, 2013. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.