Depression Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA medical opinion and the Veteran's disagreement. The Veteran is entitled to a new examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorder, including cannabis use disorder previously diagnosed as anxiety neurosis with paranoid features, had its onset in service or was caused by an in-service disease or injury.

The Board has granted service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder, finding that it began during active service. Service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected major depression has been remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, mood disorder, anxiety disorder, and PTSD, is granted as service connected. The claims for left hip condition and right hip condition are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions and incomplete development of service treatment records, particularly from U.S. Naval Hospital in San Diego, California.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new knee examination. The TDIU issue is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating issues.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea. The case of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD. A new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to in-service events or stressors.

The Veteran's MDD and lumbar and thoracic spine strain have been granted service connection, with a rating of 70 percent for the latter since December 5, 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression and unspecified personality disorder. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of a psychosis or establish that any current psychiatric condition was incurred in service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD, finding that entitlement to benefits arose on January 3, 2005.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, major depressive disorder, and tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected conditions. Service connection was also granted for right hip and left hip disorders as secondary to his service-connected left knee condition.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder were restored to a 70 percent rating effective August 1, 2017. Additionally, the Board granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted effective May 26, 2010. The Veteran's claim for service connection for shortness of breath is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches, including as secondary to his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor. The VA will attempt to obtain records from the CID and review them before making a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is denied as he did not serve during any of the specified periods of war under 38 U.S.C. § 1702, and thus cannot be granted as a matter of law.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance prior to May 27, 2003 is denied. The earliest possible effective dates are the current ones.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD is granted as incurred in wartime service. The issues of service connection for a bilateral knee disability, heart disability to include hypertension, GERD, and skin cancer are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Major Depression due to incomplete records, including VA treatment records from August 2010 onwards and private medical records from Dr. E.H.