Depression Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) and secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as caused by a service-connected psychiatric disorder and/or service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine. The effective dates have not been established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, effective date of service connection for his psychiatric disorder, and initial rating for his psychiatric disorder. The Veteran is also being asked to provide medical records related to his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, are related to her military service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has decided to remand this issue for further evaluation.

The Veteran's major depression is currently rated as 70 percent disabling and denied an increased rating. The Veteran was granted a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's cold injury residuals of the left and right feet are remanded for further examination to determine if separate ratings are warranted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be related to service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD was denied in a December 2012 rating decision, which became final. New evidence submitted since that decision does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, as well as CAD secondary to herbicide agent exposure, are being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence regarding his reported stressors. Additionally, a VA examination is required to determine whether he now has a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service and the VA clinicians have concluded that he experienced racial assaults during his time in service.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for major depressive disorder as secondary to a service-connected disability. The Veteran's claim is also being remanded for increased ratings on various conditions and TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to January 30, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for unspecified bipolar disorder with alcohol use disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new examination.

The Veteran’s major depressive disorder with dysthymia, alcohol abuse in remission and cognitive disorder due to cerebrovascular accident is rated at 70 percent since November 28, 2012.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for left upper extremity muscle weakness was denied as it was received more than one year after separation from service.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for left lower extremity muscle weakness was denied as it was received more than one year after separation from service.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for impaired swallowing with dysarthria due to cerebrovascular accident was denied as it was received more than one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for service-connected post-concussive headaches and PTSD with major depression, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, was granted an initial rating of 50 percent prior to March 2, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD and Depression due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. Additional VA treatment records are needed, and a new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, while the depression with social phobia is rated at 70 percent. A TDIU was granted from February 26, 2013 to June 29, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional evidence being submitted by the Veteran, which requires a review of all evidence received since the August 2017 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's headaches are granted as secondary to her service-connected tinnitus.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to her bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal for all issues currently before the Board.