Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's MDD is rated at 70 percent, effective October 7, 2010. The rating reflects significant occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not service-connected as it pre-existed service and did not worsen during service.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is service-connected as it is at least as likely as not related to complaints of chronic back pain during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected skin disorder caused his claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including social anxiety disorder and depression. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if he has these conditions and their relationship to his service-connected condition.

The claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The Veteran's back disorder, gastritis, acquired psychiatric disorders (anxiety and depression), erectile dysfunction, and hypertension are all under review.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's end stage dementia was related to his military service and service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and CAD. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes, type II due to herbicide exposure and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depression, and an anxiety disorder), as well as increased ratings for right arm disabilities. The VA is instructed to verify the Veteran's claimed in-service Agent Orange exposure and schedule him for a VA examination to assess his current disability levels.

This appeal is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her appeals on several issues, including a rating for DDD of the lumbar spine and PTSD. The right foot disorder claim was reopened due to new evidence.,New evidence has been received that supports service connection for a right foot disorder.

The Veteran was granted service connection for depression and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. For depression, the Board found that the Veteran's various service-connected disabilities are more likely than not causing his depressive disorder.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his depressive disorder and TDIU are remanded due to insufficient evidence. A new VA examination is needed, and all relevant medical records must be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck condition, PTSD, head injury (TBI), and depressive disorder is granted.,Service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease is granted. Service connection for PTSD is granted. Service connection for head injury (TBI) is remanded due to lack of an adequate VA examination. Service connection for depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease is also remanded.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 2, 2009 for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder. The rating in excess of 70 percent since March 5, 2012 and the TDIU claim are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for major depressive disorder was granted, and the effective date is set at July 8, 2014. The Board found that the evidence showed no significant worsening of symptoms over the earlier portion of the appeal period.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression. The VA must obtain additional medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since his service connection was granted. The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s condition has worsened and he experiences daily suicidal thoughts, difficulty maintaining relationships with friends and family, and an increased difficulty with decision making at home and work. A new examination is needed to determine the current severity of his major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding whether a preexisting psychiatric condition worsened during service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to a lack of recent examination and consideration of certain evidence.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, should be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorders is remanded due to the inadequacy of the December 2015 VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, has been denied as the new evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.