Depression Board decisions

The Board has determined that service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and depressive disorder is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected conditions, including asthma and various musculoskeletal issues. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain SSA records and translate Spanish documents.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including CLL, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, hypertension, headaches, GERD, lumbar spine disorder, shoulder disorders, hip disorders, leg disorders, and a psychiatric disorder are denied. The effective dates for the awards of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not established as prior to January 23, 2014.

The Veteran's MDD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's mental health conditions have been rated based on their current manifestations, with the depressive disorder receiving a 30% rating prior to April 27, 2016 and unspecified anxiety disorder receiving no compensable rating. The coronary artery disease has not met the criteria for any higher ratings since April 27, 2016. The effective date for TDIU remains at April 27, 2016.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, PTSD with major depressive disorder prior to May 24, 2012, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine from October 14, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including loss of use of the left foot and related spinal disorders, have precluded her from locomotion without assistive devices. As a result, she is eligible for specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his mood and unspecified depressive disorders, cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremities, and cervical OA, DDD and IVDS have been granted. The effective date is set to December 7, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and assigned a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted based on the evidence showing a current diagnosis, an in-service stressor, and a link between the two.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his legal guardian withdrawing the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary depressive disorder NOS and alcohol abuse has been productive of total occupational and social impairment for the entire appeal period, warranting a 100 percent rating. As his TDIU claim is moot due to the grant of a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD, his TDIU issue is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected hearing loss. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was denied. His service-connected low back disability is rated at 40 percent, and his lumbar radiculitis of the left lower extremity is also rated at 10 percent. The appeals for hearing loss, TDIU, and RLS were withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records of in-service and post-service psychiatric treatment, as well as relevant medical treatment at private hospitals. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was incurred during his period of honorable active service. As such, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his claims, including obtaining outstanding private and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The effective date of service connection for major depressive disorder is set to May 18, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD disability, along with his major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse disorder, resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,His symptoms included depressed mood, anxiety, nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, chronic sleep impairment, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, socially-isolative behaviors, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral knee disorders, major depressive disorder (MDD), and lumbar spine disorders, all secondary to his service-connected pes planus disability. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link between any claimed conditions and service.