Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, neck, back, ankle, and foot conditions, made it impossible for him to engage in substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board granted a TDIU on an accrued basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for PTSD and MDD with mild cognitive disorder, as well as her TDIU claim due to worsening of her psychiatric condition. The VA will obtain updated medical records and provide the Veteran with a new examination.

The Veteran's claims for psychiatric disability, left shoulder biceps tendonitis and acromioclavicular joint arthrosis and osteoarthritis, right elbow disability, major depressive disorder, other specified trauma and stress related disorder, and anxiety disorder unspecified have been granted. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these disabilities began during active service.

The Veteran is granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder and assigned a rating of 70% effective January 30, 2014.,Effective January 30, 2014, the Veteran meets the schedular criteria for Total Disability Evaluation Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities.

A higher rating of 10 percent is granted for service-connected hypertension. Service connection for psychiatric disability and back disability are granted, but left knee disability remains remanded. Other claims related to these issues are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chest pain and costochondritis was denied as it is not of service origin.,Service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence. A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for depression with psychotic features was denied, as the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment. The effective date for the grant of service connection for depression was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder is granted. The claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, hypertension, sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, left leg, right leg, left foot, right foot, left hip, and right hip disorders are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right ankle disability, migraine headaches (as proximately due to or caused by service-connected tinnitus), and left ankle and depression disabilities. The claim for service connection for a right ankle disability was not reopened as new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board denied service connection for Major Depressive Disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for lumbar strain due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD. The case is remanded due to the need for additional development of records from VA and private providers.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including a need for additional VA treatment records and an updated examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to establish service connection for PTSD and other unspecified psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's claims will be further investigated, including seeking corroboration of in-service stressors.

The Board has granted the application to reopen the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, depression, and PTSD. The claim is also granted as the evidence supports a relationship between the veteran's current psychiatric condition and her military service.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of March 20, 2015 for the award of service connection for depressive disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for major depression effective December 31, 1984. The Veteran's original claim was received on that date.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was granted a 70% rating from July 13, 2011 to July 12, 2012. The initial rating for migraine headaches was restored to 10% effective November 21, 2014.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including sleep apnea, hepatitis C, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA is instructed to obtain relevant medical records, request SSA disability benefits information, provide a VCAA notice letter regarding secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, attempt to corroborate in-service stressors, and obtain addendum opinions from VA clinicians.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for idiopathic essential tremors of the bilateral hands and a psychiatric disorder, as well as her claim for an increased rating for left hip strain with labral tear. The appeals are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions and conducting VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's left hip disability.