Depression Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left eye disabilities, residuals of inner head injury, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not shown to be related to his military service.,His hepatic disorder, including hepatitis C and cirrhosis, did not manifest during or within one year after service and is not linked to any in-service event.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of low back disability and bilateral hip disability. The appeal for service connection of acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals on bone disease, diabetes mellitus, and forehead laceration were withdrawn prior to the promulgation of a decision. The appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was granted as secondary to TBI.

The Board has found the Veteran's current diagnoses of major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, PTSD, and imbalance and dizziness. The Board also finds that an in-service stressor occurred during service. However, the VA examiner did not find a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran’s military service. Therefore, the case is remanded for further examination to address the Veteran's complete medical history and determine if his current psychiatric and balance disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has found the Veteran's current diagnoses of major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, PTSD, and imbalance and dizziness. The Board also finds that an in-service stressor occurred during service. However, the VA examiner could not provide a nexus opinion due to lack of confirmation of the events and stressors reported by the Veteran. The Board has ordered remand for further examination and opinions on the issues.

The Board has decided the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and/or depression. The case is being remanded due to deficiencies in the VA examinations provided.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria prior to January 5, 2011. Effective from that date, he met the schedular criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent since March 12, 2015 and prior to that time was rated at 50 percent. The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with IVDS has been rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent since March 12, 2015 and prior to that time was rated at 50 percent. The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with IVDS has been rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) disability application records, and a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities are etiologically related to his active service. The claims for PTSD, bipolar disorder, depressive disorder, anxiety, and mood disorders have been remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has again remanded the claim for additional development due to incomplete examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current major depressive disorder and anxiety were incurred during his active service, including his deployment from November 2004 to February 2006. The claim is therefore granted.

The Board found that the appellant does not have a current psychiatric disability causally related to his active service or any incident therein.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since September 6, 2010. The rating is granted and effective as of that date.

The Board previously denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) has ordered a remand due to unclear reasoning in the previous decision and issues regarding aggravation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and MDD, is denied as there is no verified in-service stressor related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder. The evidence now shows that his current diagnosis of PTSD is related to his fear of hostile military activity during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it. The case is also remanded to schedule a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD (claimed as pulmonary emphysema) and major depressive disorder was reopened, and both conditions were granted. Service connection for a hip disorder related to the service-connected lumbar spine disability is also remanded.