Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, major depressive disorder, is found to be related to his service-connected right knee and right leg disabilities. His right knee disability is granted an initial rating of 20 percent, but no higher, while his right leg disability is also granted a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new VA examination of his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for stressor verification and additional evidence from Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder NOS), left gluteus shell fragment wound, and scar formation in left gluteus have been denied as there is no evidence of a service connection relationship to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection and increased rating remain pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, did not have its onset in service or within one year of discharge from service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology and is against a finding of nexus to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and mood disorder. The case is being remanded to allow for a supplemental opinion from the VA examiner regarding the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including depression and ADD/ADHD, were not incurred or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The claim was denied as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of a preexisting condition.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable evidence of a preexisting acquired psychiatric disorder, denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as the Veteran does not have a current PTSD diagnosis that conforms to DSM-V, and concluded that his other diagnosed psychiatric disorders did not manifest during or as a result of active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder with anxiety, has not been etiologically linked to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including variously diagnosed conditions such as major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, was incurred during his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including a major depressive disorder and mood disorder, is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected recurrent dislocation of the right shoulder. Therefore, the appeal for service connection on this basis is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy disability for VA compensation purposes and thus, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, including a possible increase in evaluation for PTSD.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for his service-connected PTSD and TDIU ratings. The Board finds that the criteria for a 70% evaluation for PTSD are met as of April 25, 2006, but does not find evidence to support an earlier effective date for TDIU.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's low back disorder, effective from March 31, 2015. The decision also found service connection for right leg radiculopathy secondary to the low back disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating since August 5, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a disability rating of 50 percent effective September 2014, and the issue of TDIU to include on an extraschedular basis is referred for further action.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability other than persistent depressive disorder. The initial rating of 40% for degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the lumbar spine was granted, effective July 31, 2006. Service connection for TDIU was also denied.