Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer residuals and PTSD with depressive disorder NOS, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 1, 2010. A TDIU is granted effective as of that date.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for her generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks and major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need to obtain VA treatment records from the Jacksonville VAMC.

The Board has expanded the scope of the claim to include any mental health diagnosis and is requesting additional medical records from VA and Social Security Administration. A VA examination will be conducted to determine if the Veteran's current mental health disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, specifically depression. The Veteran is asked to provide updated VA treatment records and undergo a VA examination to determine if his current psychiatric conditions are related to service.

The Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection as she did not have a psychiatric disorder at the time of her October 2010 claim and has not had one since.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the service connection claims and pension/TDIU claims due to incomplete records and need for VA examination opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder, TMJ, and right lower extremity radiculopathy do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with depression was granted, effective from May 28, 2004.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and a need for a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with MDD and adenocarcinoma of the lung, prevent him from securing or following gainful employment. The Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining records from SSA and a psychiatric examination to determine if the Appellant has PTSD related to his service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of service connection for chronic fatigue, an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for depression to include sadness and anxiety, and a compensable disability rating for hemorrhoids prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and depression are being remanded for additional development to determine if they are related to his service-connected conditions or medications.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and major depressive disorder (MDD). The decision found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen any of these claims. Additionally, it was determined that MDD is not related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and TBI, as well as completion of a VA Form 21-8940 (Application for TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for various conditions were denied as they did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to Persian Gulf War exposure or other qualifying chronic disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression. The Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD and depressive disorder due to his military service are supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was rated at 50% prior to October 18, 2017. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they were not of the frequency, severity, and duration to cause occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disability, bipolar disorder, is not etiologically related to his active duty service and therefore does not meet the criteria for service connection.