Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and cannabis dependence (in remission) associated with lumbosacral strain, with degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome was denied as there is no objective evidence that a formal or informal claim seeking this benefit was received by VA prior to November 29, 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD was rated at 50 percent, effective June 9, 2009. The Veteran's migraine headaches were initially rated at 10 percent, also effective June 9, 2009. TDIU was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development and consideration of whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for a low back disability, left shoulder disability, or depressive disorder due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, and he was assigned a 30 percent rating for his vertigo as of November 27, 2006. The issues of increased initial ratings for TBI-related disabilities and entitlement to TDIU are also addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depressive disorder, are granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed PTSD stressor was not verified, and his depression and mood disorder were not shown to be related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran's depressive disorder has been rated at 10 percent since the initial rating decision. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's right foot disorder, including a chronic foot strain and plantar fasciitis, was incurred in service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence supports this finding.

The Veteran's depressive disorder has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a rating higher than the current 70 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a higher rating for residuals of squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx. The claim for TDIU due to residuals of small bowel resection associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is also addressed in the remand.

The Veteran's left arm disability is found to be proximately due to his service-connected left wrist disability, and thus granted.,The Veteran's depression with substance abuse is found to be secondary to his service-connected left wrist disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing Social Security Administration (SSA) records and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for herpes and a psychiatric disorder including depression is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability and major depression, finding no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen his previously denied claim. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a direct relationship between the Veteran's depression and active service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety has been rated at 70 percent since February 26, 2016. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms and occupational and social impairment.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, and her symptoms are more likely related to her pre-existing personality disorder rather than service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder, diagnosed during service and continuing to present today, is related to her military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left wrist disability was denied as there is no probative nexus evidence regarding an etiological relationship between his left wrist carpal instability and active service. The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder, NOS, currently rated at 50 percent disabling from September 22, 2005, under DC 9411 of the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed depression with psychotic features is etiologically related to service. The appeal for migraine headaches and lumbar degenerative disc disease has been withdrawn.