Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records, particularly from private hospitals and VA facilities where the Veteran received treatment prior to his death. The appellant must provide information for obtaining these records.

The Board has granted service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his service in Guantanamo Bay. The claim was reopened due to new evidence provided since the last denial.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or within a year after separation, and it is not related to service.,Major depressive disorder is granted with a rating of 70 percent but no higher. The Veteran has symptoms such as suicidal ideation, neglect of personal hygiene, and near-continuous panic or depression.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines and major depressive disorder significantly impact his ability to work, resulting in a TDIU being granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence being added to his file after the April 2016 SOC.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his PTSD with a not otherwise specified depressive disorder and insomnia, as well as the issue of TDIU. Additional VA treatment records are needed, and a VA psychiatric examination will be scheduled to assess the impact on employment.

The Board has remanded the case to determine if an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU is warranted based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically his headaches and depression.

The Veteran's depressive disorder has been rated at 30 percent since July 2012, and the Board found no evidence of symptoms warranting a higher rating for the period prior to January 28, 2016. For the period beginning January 28, 2016, the Veteran's depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability is denied. The evidence does not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with depressive disorder is denied. The medical evidence does not support the presence of occupational and social impairment as contemplated by the 70% rating criteria.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was granted service connection. The appeals for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bladder control disability, sleep apnea, and the reopening of claims for neuropathy and chronic fatigue syndrome are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted. The claims for increased ratings and SMC are remanded due to the need for further medical evaluation.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 19, 2010 for the award of service connection for erectile dysfunction and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, previously diagnosed as PTSD, has been granted a 70 percent rating for the entire period on appeal. The decision is based on his occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, lumbar spine disorder and right hip disorder, right ear hearing loss, sciatica, cervical spine disability, residuals of a right foot injury, depressive disorder, and left arm disability. The issues are secondary to other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) with Anxious Distress, is rated at 70 percent effective from March 3, 2016. The appeal for an earlier effective date was denied.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee Baker's cyst, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and GAD) due to lack of current disability or evidence linking the conditions to service. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for depressive disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated private treatment records, VA examinations, and further analysis of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is granted. The rating for his spondylolisthesis of the lumbosacral spine remains at 20 percent, but he is granted a separate rating for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and his PTSD with depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent. The Veteran was granted a TDIU on a schedular basis.