Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have been granted service connection, with a rating of 50 percent for depression.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and diagnoses, including PTSD. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being reviewed again with a focus on verifying combat experience in Beirut and addressing the validity of the reported sexual assault. The claim for sleep apnea is also being remanded as there was no valid Notice of Disagreement filed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in either case.

The Board denied service connection for low back, left knee, right knee, and plantar fasciitis disabilities. The claim for eye disability (blurred vision) was also denied.,Service connection for sinus disability, pulmonary disability due to asbestos exposure, respiratory disability (residuals of pneumonia and restrictive lung disease), major depressive disorder, and PTSD were all denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between his current mental health conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are rated at 50 percent, but he contends they are more severe. The VA has not provided all relevant medical records in his case.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is dismissed because his anxiety disorder with PTSD features, depressive disorder, neurocognitive disorder, and alcohol use disorder has been rated at 100% by the VA. This renders the issue moot as he already receives a 100% rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, while his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder not otherwise specified, was granted.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to his service-connected costochondritis/Tietze's syndrome. His costochondritis/Tietze's syndrome rating is restored from June 25, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed conditions. The issues include left knee disorder, right knee disorder, type 2 diabetes mellitus, stroke, and a psychiatric disorder (Bipolar Disorder and Manic Depression).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's body aches, diabetes mellitus, type II, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and/or unspecified depressive disorder) are all under review.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including corroboration of the Veteran's claimed stressors and examination for bilateral upper extremity frostbite.

The Veteran's service-connected depression has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's depression NOS, opioid dependence on agonist treatment, benzodiazepine dependence associated with L1 fracture, lumbar spine is rated at 50 percent. The symptoms are significant but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and/or depression as secondary to a service-connected skin disability (squamous cell carcinoma with residuals). The remand is due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from July 20, 2012 due to his service-connected left hernia and major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to this date remains pending as the claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss has not been resolved.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for depression, claimed as secondary to duodenal ulcer disease is granted. A 60 percent rating is assigned for the Veteran's duodenal ulcer disease from May 13, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection of major depressive disorder and a 100% disability rating are dismissed as there is no legal basis to do so.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety, depression, and dysthymia are of service-connected origin, granting his claim for service connection.