Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection of Major Depressive Disorder and the associated TDIU is granted with effective dates of January 23, 1996.

The Board has remanded all issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for additional development. The dismissal of the claim for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder (also claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder) is due to a full grant of benefits in March 2018.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied it as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and no evidence linking depression or anxiety to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining missing service records and scheduling a VA examination to address the diagnoses and etiology of all acquired psychiatric disorders.

The appeal for service connection of abnormal heart has been dismissed.,Service connection for residuals of a back injury is granted, but the claim remains denied on the merits.

The Veteran's appeal includes requests for an increased evaluation for his depressive disorder and effective dates for the grant of a higher disability rating. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure all relevant records are considered, including VA treatment records from the Omaha VAMC since August 2016, and a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete supplemental statements of the case.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are not related to his active service, and he does not have a compensable rating for his mandibular fracture.

The Veteran's DDD of the thoracolumbar spine is rated at 40 percent, and his depressive disorder NOS is rated at 70 percent. Both conditions are denied for higher ratings.

The Veteran's left hip strain is rated at 20 percent since March 26, 2015.,The Veteran's depressive disorder NOS with anxiety disorder NOS is rated at 70 percent since February 28, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 50% rating for the period prior to February 12, 2014. For the entire duration of the appeal, he is rated at 50%. The TDIU claim was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, cervical spine disorder, right knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The AOJ is instructed to obtain medical records, verify periods of active duty, and schedule examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total occupational and social impairment. Therefore, a rating in excess of 70 percent for the period from July 15, 2013 to September 16, 2015 is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of current diagnosis of PTSD and need for further examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, is related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and verifying service records.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as secondary to rhabdomyolysis, and she is assigned a 70 percent rating for her adjustment disorder with PTSD, mixed depression, and anxiety.,Her rhabdomyolysis is also granted, and she receives an initial 60 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's reported service history and need for further examination to determine if he meets the criteria for PTSD.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased disability rating, service connection, earlier effective date, and TDIU due to withdrawal of appeal by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the VA examination for PTSD is inadequate, and thus remands the case to obtain a new examination. The issues of service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and insomnia) are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with secondary alcohol dependence was denied in October 1991, and the appeal was not pursued. The Veteran submitted a petition to reopen his service connection claim on November 13, 2001, which resulted in the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Board found no evidence supporting an earlier effective date.