Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depression are related to his active duty service, thus service connection is granted. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for depression, finding that it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and peripheral polyneuropathies.

The Board has determined that there is no credible medical evidence of a nexus between the claimed in-service disease or injury and the present disability, including major depression and anxiety. As such, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), to include major depression and anxiety, is denied.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder prior to August 9, 2012 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected major depressive disorder, right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to provide proper notice of her scheduled video hearing. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder NOS is currently rated at 50 percent, effective September 29, 2009. The disability results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent rating, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment. Depression is considered part of the service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to verify the Veteran's in-service stressors and to obtain updated VA treatment records. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma has been reopened and granted. The Veteran is currently rated at 50 percent for sinusitis and pansinusitis, the maximum rating allowed under Diagnostic Code 6510. A separate 10 percent rating for allergic rhinitis was granted effective December 8, 2015.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 22, 2011, for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The issues of entitlement to increases in the 'staged' ratings assigned for PTSD and TDIU remain unresolved as they are not adjudicated by the AOJ. The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to SMP based on need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% since April 14, 2006. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to his symptoms.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including personality disorder, major depression, and schizophrenia. The Veteran provided new evidence that supports reopening his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting new examinations to assess his service-connected adjustment disorder with depression and cluster headaches.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% disability rating. The TDIU claim was also granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's service dates and obtain her medical records. The issues of service connection for a bilateral lower extremity disability, including residuals of bilateral shin splints and stress fractures; an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression; and a bilateral shoulder disability are currently in remand status.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and a sleep disorder is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide another VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected depression and for a combined effects medical opinion regarding his ability to work due to his service-connected disabilities.