Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected left elbow fragment tip is rated at 10 percent. Service connection for his left shoulder condition, bilateral eye conditions, hearing loss, hypertension, and lipomas are granted. The acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety) is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records from Biloxi, Mississippi. The claim will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and verifying the Veteran's claimed stressors. The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran will also be afforded examinations to address his left knee disability, depressive disorder, and left hip condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability, depressive disorder, joint pain in shoulders, left hip, and left knee, melanoma, basal cell carcinoma or nevus, and toe joint disorders. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen the previously denied claim for right hip disability.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary depression and cannabis abuse has been granted, but the initial evaluation remains at 70 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression has been rated as 30 percent disabling since November 1, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD have been rated at 50 percent since September 4, 2009. He is also granted TDIU due to service-connected disabilities including PTSD and SMC at the housebound rate beginning November 1, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx and residuals thereof did not manifest during service, is not related to his service in any manner, and thus does not meet the criteria for service connection. The same determination was made regarding his acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes depression but not PTSD.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a depressive disorder that he claims is secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease. The case has been remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's psychiatric disability and his service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is causally related to his active service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied prior to May 3, 2007. The evidence did not meet the criteria for an extraschedular TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depressive disorder, is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current psychiatric symptoms and his military service.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 31, 1994 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's original claim was filed on that date.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for depression, asthma, and obesity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the RO increased his back disability rating to 20 percent effective October 3, 2011. The Veteran was not granted any other benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 50% disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for anxiety disorder with depression was granted, but the appeals for service connection for other conditions remain pending.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent disabling, effective October 4, 2000. The appeal for an earlier effective date is dismissed.