Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability was granted. However, his request for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since January 4, 2011. For the initial rating period prior to that date, her symptoms have met criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The effective date of the award of service connection for depressive disorder NOS was set at September 26, 2013.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with sleep disturbance causes significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating from September 2009 until November 11, 2015.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are service connected. The psychiatric disorder, including depression, is not service connected.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is manifested by total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% rating. The effective date for this rating remains March 22, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing and further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his tension headaches rated at 50 percent disabling and bilateral flat feet rated at 30 percent disabling, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, effective July 31, 2013. The appeal for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent prior to that date has been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including issuing a statement of the case on depression and PTSD, and scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD. Further examination by a VA board-certified psychiatrist is required.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as anxiety reaction, major depressive disorder (MDD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is currently rated at 70 percent. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding his increased rating claim and TDIU claim, as both issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided in June 2015 was inadequate and remands the case for a supplemental medical opinion to address whether any psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, is related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, AIDS, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's depressive disorder was not present during active duty and is not otherwise etiologically related to service. The Board also found that his obsessive compulsive personality disorder was not aggravated by service or his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disability, left shoulder disability, low back disability, fatigue (claimed as due to chronic fatigue syndrome or undiagnosed illness), respiratory disorder (claimed as due to an undiagnosed illness), depressive disorder, NOS, and diabetes mellitus. As such, these claims are granted.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress resulted in occupational and social impairment, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, will be remanded as additional development is needed.