Depression Board decisions

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased disability rating for service-connected Herpes Simplex II, earlier effective date for service connection for depressive disorder and tender scarring related to pilonidal cyst removal. The issues were withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder, alcohol-induced as there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and polysubstance abuse disorder are caused by her in-service military sexual trauma, leading to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded several issues including the timely filing of a notice of disagreement for reducing the rating of the Veteran's back disorder, earlier effective date for TDIU claim, higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and depressive disorder.

The Board has recharacterized the Veteran's claim as service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and depressive disorder NOS. The Veteran should be afforded a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of his current psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment during the period from January 30, 2008 to August 20, 2013.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome has been granted service connection. Service connection for fibromyalgia, acid reflux, and other conditions have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The Veteran's claims are pending further examination and medical nexus opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, and TDIU due to the need for further examination and evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depression, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected respiratory disorders (COPD). The evidence did not support a finding that the depression was caused or worsened by the COPD.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and trichotillomania, as related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, MDD, asthma, and other conditions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of spinal surgery, to include right sided numbness and pain was denied. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for depressive disorder was also denied.

The Board has expanded the claim to include service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder. The Veteran's psychiatric conditions are currently diagnosed, but there is insufficient evidence to determine if they are related to his in-service stressors or service.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date and initial rating for service-connected depression is being remanded due to the need for a Statement of the Case (SOC). The issues are inextricably intertwined with his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's depression, bipolar disability, and prostate cancer are service connected. The Veteran is also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation and an earlier effective date for PTSD with near continuous depression was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 70 percent, but granted an effective date of January 31, 2011.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, was rated at 70 percent prior to November 2, 2015. After that date, the rating remained at 70 percent due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) effective November 29, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset in service. The Veteran's hepatitis C claim will be remanded for a supplemental medical opinion, while his psychiatric disorder claim requires additional VA treatment records and a supplemental medical opinion from a psychiatrist.