Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is granted a 100 percent rating, and service connection for tinnitus is granted. The appeal for TDIU is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder are currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that this rating is not higher than what is warranted based on the evidence of record. The symptoms described do not meet or more closely approximate the criteria for a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been remanded due to the failure to issue a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected recurrent pyloric channel ulcer with gastro-duodenitis, postoperative vagotomy. The issue of service connection for IBS has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing it prior to a decision. The rating for the recurrent pyloric channel ulcer with gastro-duodenitis remains at 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and depression due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is requested to provide or authorize release of private records related to his employment at the Homeland Security Agency, and he will be scheduled for VA examinations by an orthopedic specialist and a mental health examiner.

The Board granted a 100% rating for major depressive disorder with psychotic features, previously rated as PTSD, effective from June 5, 2017. The earlier effective date of February 1, 2010, was also granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for depression and anxiety due to insufficient evidence in the record, including a lack of review of post-service records prior to 2002. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities are being examined by an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and alcohol induced mood disorder, are found to be related to service. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the Board finds that any hypertension diagnosed post-service is not related to his military service.,The Veteran's service connection claim for a penis disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the Board finds that any penis disability diagnosed post-service is not related to his military service.,The Veteran's service connection claim for psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder due to another medical condition with depressed features) is granted as it is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and hepatitis C.,The Veteran's service connection claim for hepatitis C is granted based on new evidence that reopened the previously denied claim.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of October 22, 2012 for the grant of service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and frontotemporal dementia. The original denial in September 2013 did not become final due to VA's constructive receipt of relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD with panic attacks and TDIU claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination. The issue of TDIU has also been added to the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder was rated at 70 percent for the period from August 28, 2015 until his death in February 2018. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they did not cause total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD, in association with alcohol abuse and depressive disorder, is manifested by suicidal ideation; depression; irritable behavior and angry outburst; reckless or self-destructive behavior; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances; and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder, and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and TBI, along with her left breast cancer, right breast cancer, and right hip cancer, have been granted a 100% disability rating effective May 29, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to conflicting medical opinions regarding his acquired psychiatric disorders. A new VA examination is needed to determine the nature, etiology, and severity of any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, are related to his military service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the in-service stressors and the need for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for bladder cancer and depression, reopening of previously denied hearing loss and sleep apnea claims, an increased rating for PTSD, and a TDIU. The remand requires further medical opinions regarding these matters.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and that any other diagnosed psychiatric conditions are not related to service.