Depression Board decisions

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims of low back pain, right hip condition, left hip condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and depressive disorder).

The Board has determined that additional opinions are needed to fully address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential issues with the presumption of soundness and secondary service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder is rated at 70 percent from October 29, 2012 to April 27, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his depression and musculoskeletal conditions, do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted a rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The other issues on appeal are denied.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and granted service connection for depressive disorder. The Veteran's current psychiatric condition is not related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed all the claims of service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective June 8, 2016. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him incapable of securing and following substantially gainful employment since June 8, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her low back disability, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, deviated septum with sinusitis, right wrist scar, and PTSD with depression was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any condition.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including left knee tendinitis, bilateral foot disability, left ankle sprain, erectile dysfunction, urinary disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), and bruxism. The reasons given were that there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's time in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and TDIU due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and PTSD with depression have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence not having been received. The psychiatric disorder claim is also being remanded for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim of service connection for depression. The Veteran's depression is found to be related to his service-connected disabilities, specifically headaches and meningococcal meningitis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical evidence and an examination.

The Board denied service connection for tongue cancer and depression (secondary to tongue cancer) as there was no evidence linking the conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder, and therefore cannot establish service connection for Major Depressive Disorder. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to be related to service, and the claim for this condition is denied.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

A 50 percent rating is granted for the Veteran’s service-connected Major Depressive Disorder with Anxiety throughout, effective July 26, 2012. The Board also remanded several issues related to other conditions.