Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates were denied. Effective May 13, 2015, service connection was granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the service-connected lumbar spine disability.,Service connection for DJD of the left hip was also granted on May 13, 2015. The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date for persistent depressive disorder with mixed features (claimed as PTSD) was granted but with a different effective date.

The Veteran's depression and social anxiety disorders are rated at 70 percent effective November 20, 2012. The Board found that the earliest date on which it is factually ascertainable that her disability had worsened was November 20, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The examiner is requested to provide opinions on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (including depressive disorder NOS) or PTSD began during active service or is related to an incident of service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted a 70% rating on and after March 27, 2017. The Board finds the evidence most consistent with a 70% disability rating for depression throughout the period on appeal. Service connection for back, left knee, and sleep apnea disabilities are remanded due to incomplete records and insufficient nexus opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a need for further medical examinations. The issues include PTSD, migraine headaches, eye conditions, and TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder and Panic Disorder was granted a 70% disability evaluation from June 26, 2016 to August 18, 2017. Effective as of June 26, 2016, the Veteran is also receiving a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and OSA have been reopened, but the claims for back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension remain denied.,Service connection has been granted for depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with generalized anxiety and major depression, has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood. The Board found that a rating in excess of 70 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, as well as residuals of TBI, are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding in-service stressors and medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it depends on the rating assigned.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's diagnoses and their relationship to service. The claims for service connection for anxiety disorder and depressive disorder must be further evaluated with a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not yet decided whether these conditions are related to his military service. The appeals for back and neck disabilities remain pending as they need further examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, panic disorder, and substance use disorder, is granted as service connected. The issue of entitlement to service connection for low back pain is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically whether it is related to her service-connected hallux valgus.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a low back disability, residuals of right ear cyst removal, and diabetes mellitus due to new evidence submitted since the final decisions. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD, depression, anxiety) remains pending as it was not reopened.,Service connection is being remanded for the low back disability, residuals of right ear cyst removal, and diabetes mellitus due to unresolved issues regarding exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, mood disorder, anxiety disorder, and chronic depression, are granted. Service connection is denied for OCD, dissociative identity disorder, bipolar disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent rating since June 13, 2018. The TDIU claim was also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of any back disability, thoracic neuritis, left and right knee disabilities, sinus headaches, and major depressive disorder with social anxiety. The effective date for service connection will be determined based on the evidence.

The Veteran's initial rating for his PTSD has been denied, as the evidence does not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran was found not to be bedridden or in need of regular aid and assistance as a result of his service-connected conditions. The case is remanded for further examination regarding the relationship between the Veteran's erectile dysfunction and his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder.