Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal of claims for service connection for mild superimposed degenerative joint disease at the fact joints, herniated disc, lumbar laminectomy (claimed as lumbar condition due to surgery L4-S1), and a migraine condition is dismissed. The claims for entitlement to service connection for depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and a nervous condition are reopened.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities reached 100% effective July 31, 2012. The Board found that he was not entitled to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to April 3, 2009.,From April 3, 2009, the Veteran met the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU but his application indicated he was enrolled in college courses and pursuing environmental technology.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits records.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims, including for a mental condition (claimed as memory loss, sleep disturbance, and depression due to an undiagnosed illness), PTSD, muscular pain and joint discomfort (claimed as due to Anthrax injections), GERD, and tension headaches. The Veteran's service personnel records need to be obtained, and new VA examinations are required for the service-connected tension headaches and GERD.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for psychiatric disability, tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, as well as TDIU were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, left foot scar, intervertebral disc syndrome/lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have all been granted service connection. However, the effective dates for these grants are not earlier than February 13, 2003 (depressive disorder), June 17, 2015 (left foot scar), May 9, 2012 (intervertebral disc syndrome/lumbosacral strain and radiculopathy of the lower extremities).,The Veteran's depressive disorder has been rated as 70 percent disabling. The Board denied an initial rating greater than 70 percent.

The Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder is rated at 70 percent prior to January 20, 2017 and denied for a higher rating thereafter.

The Veteran's depression is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus and depression.,The Veteran's high blood pressure (hypertension) is not granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder are rated at a 70 percent disability level beginning November 16, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to various conditions, including respiratory, gastrointestinal, neurological, and mental health disorders. The Board has determined that the claims for service connection are mixed due to some issues being granted while others were denied or remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate May 2016 VA examination report. The Veteran's history of depressive symptoms and sleep impairment since service needs to be considered in a new examination.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current chronic knee disorder or low back disorder, and the Veteran's claims for these conditions are denied. The claims for sciatica, acquired mental disorders, and cystitis are remanded as additional medical examination and opinion are needed.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including unspecified depressive disorder and ADHD, finding no nexus to service.

The Veteran's depression resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from March 13, 2015 to August 14, 2016. From August 15, 2016, the Veteran's depression resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, finding that it is caused by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder have worsened since his last VA examination in February 2016. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated treatment records and conduct a more current VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for headaches has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for a rating greater than 70 percent for his anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for his anxiety and depressive disorder not otherwise specified has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) has been withdrawn.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. However, further development is needed to determine the etiology of any current mental health disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for postoperative scars of the left shoulder, and denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for status post Bankart repair of the left shoulder. The Veteran's depression was granted at 100% effective April 19, 2007, but his other appeals were denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and nightmare disorder is rated at 70 percent, but the claim for a higher rating is denied.,The effective date of service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder and nightmare disorder is May 28, 2010, as this is the earliest date entitlement arose.