Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depressive disorder and PTSD, are granted as secondary to his service-connected cervical spondylosis with left-sided radiculopathy and degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, previously rated as a mood disorder prior to October 15, 2013, is granted an increased rating of 50 percent. The appeal for a higher rating in excess of 50 percent is denied.

The Veteran's cause of death is service-connected, and the claim for DIC benefits was granted effective July 7, 2015. The appeal for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but did not meet the criteria for a rating more than 50 percent. The Veteran was also denied TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities alone not rendering her unemployable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and paranoid schizophrenia) due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran was not provided with a valid VA examination for his hearing loss claim, and he needs to be scheduled for another one. For his psychiatric disorder claim, a VA examination is needed to determine if it is at least as likely as not that the condition had its onset during service or is related to any in-service disease, event, or injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no evidence of a link between his claimed conditions and service, or that they began in service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and his right lower extremity radiculopathy and femoral radiculopathy are each rated at 20 percent. The depression rating remains at 70 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is being remanded due to conflicting medical evidence. Additional development is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a new psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for dermatitis and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include depression is remanded. The claims for increased ratings for left and right knee flexion are also remanded. The issue of restoring the 20 percent disability ratings for patellofemoral syndrome of both knees remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder.

Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and increased disability ratings for fibromyalgia and major depressive disorder are denied. The Veteran's depression is rated at 70% since September 12, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, depressive disorder on secondary basis, and obstructive sleep apnea on secondary basis are granted. The claim for sinusitis is remanded as the Veteran has not been provided a VA examination to determine the etiology of any current sinus disability.

The Board denied service connection for vitiligo and left shin 'scarring' (dermatitis) as well as psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The preponderance of the evidence indicated that these conditions were not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection and TDIU due to inadequate development. The skin condition may be secondary to medication associated with depressive disorder, but this needs further clarification from a dermatologist. Additionally, a VA examination is needed to assess the combined impact of all service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was rated at 50 percent prior to October 12, 2012. The rating was increased to 70 percent from February 1, 2017 onward.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his military service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder have been granted a disability rating of 70 percent, which is the maximum available. The Board also found that he meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to unclear diagnoses and lack of a clear opinion on whether any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service. The Veteran's claims for PTSD and major depressive disorder will be reviewed again with an examination.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants an initial evaluation of 50 percent, effective prior to May 28, 2015. Other claims remain in appellate status.

The Veteran's initial rating for depressive disorder beginning May 30, 2004 is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a supplemental statement of the case.