Depression Board decisions

The Board has denied an effective date prior to April 28, 2016 for the award of a 60 percent rating for left total knee arthroplasty. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease, L5-S1 and major depressive disorder are being remanded due to outstanding SSA records that need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar fusion, left leg radiculopathy, right leg radiculopathy, and depression due to a lack of service treatment records. The Veteran reported an in-service fall during basic training which he believes caused his current disabilities.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's acquired mental health disability, including PTSD and MDD, should be remanded for further development to determine if it is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder, anxiety, and a sleep disorder have been denied as there is no evidence to support the contention that these conditions are related to his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for psoriasis and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder. The decision finds that his preexisting conditions were aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, tinea cruris, and a left knee disability are on appeal. The claims will be remanded to obtain updated treatment records and provide the Veteran with an opportunity to submit additional evidence. A psychiatric examination is also required to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of current disability or in-service injury.,Service connection for depressive disorder, NOS was granted with an effective date of December 14, 2010. The Veteran did not file a claim prior to this date.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and Major depressive disorder have been granted.,Service connection has not been reopened for MERSA.

The Veteran's heart condition, diabetes mellitus, bilateral peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities, and squamous cancer left cheek with residuals have been granted service connection due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's dementia and Alzheimer's with depression were denied as not related to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy was granted on a secondary basis to his now service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and depression disabilities met the schedular requirements for a TDIU effective July 20, 2011. The claim was granted within one year of meeting these criteria.

The Veteran's depression disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. His atrial fibrillation disability is rated at 100% since August 9, 2012 due to chronic congestive heart failure and regurgitation valves. Other conditions are denied or not addressed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 70% rating for service-connected major depression disorder to include posttraumatic stress disorder (psychiatric disability) from March 5, 2010 is granted. Other claims are remanded.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance is being remanded due to a secondary service connection claim for a seizure disorder. The SMC appeal will be reconsidered after addressing the service connection issue.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the Veteran did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, due to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for major depressive disorder and her TDIU claim are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence since the last decision.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for major depression and TDIU are being remanded due to missing documents in the file.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and alcohol use disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they primarily include occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.