Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals regarding hypertension, kidney removal, and his depressive disorder were dismissed. The effective date for the grant of service connection for depressive disorder was not granted earlier than May 2, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, allergies, bronchitis, and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or related to service. The claim for hepatitis C has been remanded due to the need for an opinion regarding herbicide exposure. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and/or depression) has also been remanded for a separate opinion on both PTSD and depression.,The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, allergies, bronchitis, hypertension, and irritable bowel condition have all been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or related to service. The claim for hepatitis C due to herbicide exposure has also been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for depressive disorder, unspecified, with alcohol use disorder (also claimed as PTSD) is granted.,An effective date of April 3, 2017 is granted for the award of a 50 percent rating for depressive disorder, unspecified, with alcohol use disorder (also claimed as PTSD).

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating as her symptoms are not consistent with a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess his service-connected PTSD and determine if he has any other diagnosed psychiatric disorders that are related to his military service.

The Board found that the appellant's discharge was not due to willful and persistent misconduct, thus qualifying him as a 'veteran' for VA benefits.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for depressive disorder. The Board has dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for her service-connected persistent depressive disorder and for TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for VCAA notice and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is being remanded for further evaluation and rating consideration.

The Board has remanded the issues of an initial disability rating higher than 30 percent for bilateral foot disorder, a lumbar spine disability, and chronic adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression due to lack of representation and need for additional development.

The Veteran's depression and tension headaches are granted as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The left shoulder disability is denied, and the cervical spine disability is remanded for further review.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and remanded the issues of an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for MDD and a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inconsistencies in his service record and allegations of stressor events. The psychiatric disability claim is being recharacterized to include any diagnosed psychiatric condition, while the tinnitus claim requires additional evidence regarding noise exposure and a medical opinion on its etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action regarding his TDIU rating prior to January 26, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and will consider all issues, including a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, and a VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 27, 2018 for a 70 percent rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and polysubstance dependence in sustained full remission was denied as the increase began over a year prior to the date of the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents, including coronary artery disease/congestive heart failure, nasopharyngeal cancer, obstructive sleep apnea, eye disability, balance/vestibular disorder, sinusitis, and depressive disorder. The case will be returned after further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted on an extraschedular basis.,For the period from March 7, 2012, to November 30, 2017, his acquired psychiatric disability was evaluated as 50 percent disabling. The Board found that this level of impairment did not meet or exceed the criteria for a higher rating (such as 70% or 100%) and thus denied an increased evaluation.,The Veteran's arthritis conditions were remanded due to insufficient evidence on whether they are service-connected.,Service connection was granted for headaches secondary to tinnitus.,Other claims, including those related to sleep disability, hypertension, skin condition, diabetes mellitus, special monthly compensation, and TDIU, were also remanded.