Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as he has a current diagnosis of PTSD related to an in-service stressor, and the evidence supports this conclusion.

The Veteran's initial claim for service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depressive Disorder was granted with an effective date of October 21, 2014. The rating assigned was 30 percent before October 28, 2015, and increased to 50 percent thereafter. However, the Veteran contests the effective date and seeks a higher initial rating for his service-connected psychiatric disorder for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals, so there are no remaining issues for review.

The Veteran's initial ratings for depression, left shoulder labral repair, thoracolumbar spine strain, and right ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and rating determinations. The specific issues include recurrent skin disorder, psychiatric disorders (including depressive disorder), sleep disorders (including OSA), peripheral neuropathy, prostate cancer residuals, and tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression, finding that there was no medical nexus between his military service and his current diagnosis of depression.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, left shoulder disability, depressive disorder, and kidney condition due to new VA treatment records being added after the last statement of the case or supplemental statement of the case. Additional opinions are needed regarding whether the Veteran's conditions are related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to its inextricability with another claim, specifically the TDIU claim. The Veteran's psychiatric disability rating prior to May 21, 2015, is now before the Board for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include anxiety and depression. Service connection is also granted for obstructive sleep apnea. The effective date of the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus is set at May 28, 2014.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation for side effects of Gabapentin, finding that there was no additional disability caused by Dr. O.G.'s care and that the side effects were known and foreseeable.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of a current diagnosis. The psychiatric disorder and sleep disorder claims are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia and depressive disorder have been granted increased ratings, with the left knee receiving a 10% rating since July 14, 2011, and the depressive disorder receiving a 30% rating prior to September 24, 2014, and a 70% rating thereafter.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and left knee disability have been granted service connection. The case has been remanded for further development regarding the left knee disability, including a new examination to address its relationship with his right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information about PTSD diagnoses and stressor events. They need to verify all contended stressors and obtain a DSM-5 based opinion on the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and examination reports. The issues include psychiatric disorders, prostate disorder, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, anemia, gastrointestinal disorders, skin disorder, bilateral eye disorders, low back disability, upper back disability, right leg disability, left leg disability, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with anxiety and Major Depressive Disorder with alcohol use disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his in-service stressor events. The disability is rated noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for obtaining additional medical records, scheduling a VA examination, and issuing an SOC regarding the effective date of service connection.