Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified other trauma disorder and related major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are at least as likely as not incurred in service.

The Veteran's character of discharge for the period from August 2007 to February 2009 is being remanded due to potential insanity defense. The Board requests a medical opinion on whether the Veteran was insane at the time he committed misconduct leading to his discharge.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent prior to March 3, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence and the need for further examination regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and depressive disorders. The examiner is asked to determine if the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric condition related to service, including radiation exposure. Additionally, an opinion on whether the Veteran has a separate diagnosis for a headache condition is needed.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder diagnosed as mood disorder, depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder has been denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for this condition is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and for increased ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD) and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the low spine is granted. The claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD (major depressive disorder), are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor and his current psychiatric conditions. The Veteran will need to provide deck logs from his service on the USCGC McLane, and a VA examination is needed to determine if his current diagnoses are related to his military service or his service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is denied.,Service connection for COPD is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service, including exposure to Agent Orange.,An acquired psychiatric disorder (likely to include PTSD and Depression) is not service-connected as there is insufficient evidence connecting current symptoms to military service.,Thrombosis, poor circulation, and edema are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and major neurocognitive disorder. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and headaches have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for PTSD and depression. The claim for increased rating for urinary incontinence is denied as there is no evidence of renal dysfunction. The claim for increased rating for lumbosacral strain with IVDS remains pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, has been manifested by symptoms indicative of no more than occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood. The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for schizoid personality disorder, depression, and PTSD as there was no current diagnosis of PTSD and the evidence did not support a link between any diagnosed conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Depression, finding that there was no verified in-service stressor and insufficient evidence linking his current psychiatric conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD and Depression are granted as service-connected.,Chronic Fatigue is granted as service-connected. The connection to service-connected PTSD and Depression is established.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities and depression were denied. The right and left knee disabilities are rated as 10 percent each under Diagnostic Code 5257, which pertains to instability of the knees. The back disability is rated as 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5243. The Veteran's initial rating for his depression prior to September 26, 2018, was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition and major depressive disorder due to lack of a VA examination, as well as additional evidence not yet considered by the RO.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The left and right foot frostbite residuals are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent, with no extra-schedular consideration granted. The Veteran was not found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected, but denied his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain clarifying opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss.