Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for alcohol use disorder is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, is granted.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, residuals of cerebrovascular accident (CVA), depressive disorder, right ear hearing loss, and sleep apnea. Service connection was denied for left ear hearing loss and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 70 percent for unspecified depressive disorder is granted. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Veteran's Crohn's disease and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) are granted service connection. The Veteran is also granted a higher disability rating for diabetes mellitus type II, but the file lacks sufficient records to determine his current condition during this period. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is remanded. TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for unspecified depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development such as stressor verification and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his PTSD with depressive disorder was denied, but he was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from August 18, 2015 to October 11, 2016.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with alcohol and cannabis use disorders is rated at 70 percent, effective from July 1, 2016.,The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for migraine headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety) secondary to hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied due to the Veteran's willful misconduct in causing his motor vehicle accident, which resulted in these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection with an effective date of June 20, 2017. The remaining claims for throat cancer, depression, thyroid disorder, loss of taste, and hemorrhoids were all denied.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a nervous disorder, now characterized as an acquired psychiatric disorder, is granted. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of any current psychiatric disorders to military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus has been denied as the condition is already at its maximum schedular rating.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus has also been denied, as there was no prior claim within one year of separation from service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral eye disorders, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression) as the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.,Service connection was also denied for a bilateral foot disorder in a previous remand.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, hepatitis C, liver disease and cirrhosis, but denied service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left knee disability, respiratory disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for her acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, is granted effective March 29, 2012. The effective date prior to this grant is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraines are not related to his military service and thus, service connection is denied. The GERD with hiatal hernia, painful joints (claimed as knees and ankles), depression, and PTSD issues have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include a depressive disorder secondary to other conditions and multiple physical impairments related to diabetes and Agent Orange exposure, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment since at least November 16, 2012. The Board has granted TDIU from that date. However, the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to November 16, 2012 is remanded due to evidence suggesting he may be unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression and headaches as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability, lupus, and sleep conditions has been granted. The reduction of the rating for status post left shoulder surgery with residual strain from 10% to noncompensable (zero percent) effective April 1, 2018, was found to be proper due to clear and unmistakable error in assigning duplicate ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Depressive Disorder due to a lack of confirmation of an in-service stressor involving abuse/military sexual trauma. The case is being returned for further development, including obtaining additional evidence and arranging for a new VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for depressive disorder.