Depression Board decisions

The Board denied the appellant's claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected headaches and cervical spine degenerative disc disease ratings.,The Court remanded the issue of TDIU due to the failure to consider whether the appellant is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate opinions in a previous VA examination.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment prior to November 5, 2014, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and service connection was denied. The initial rating for PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol abuse remains at 30 percent, and the appeals for other conditions were not addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since May 20, 2015, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding his claimed in-service head injuries. The VA will seek verification of these incidents from official sources.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, psychosis, major depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, schizoaffective disorder, borderline personality disorder, dysthymic disorder, and polysubstance dependence. The Veteran also received a grant of service connection for secondary stomach disorder. However, the claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, warranting a 30 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, PTSD and MDD, is being remanded due to insufficient evidence on the etiology of his condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee disability, and back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, arthritis of the cervical spine, and depression as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected spinal disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors were not corroborated and thus, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a mental health examination. The claims will be adjudicated again in light of all the evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including updated employment and educational history, VA treatment records, and a comprehensive examination to determine the severity of her service-connected disabilities and their impact on her employability.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder NOS, mood disorder NOS, and depressive disorder NOS. The issue of medical care under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1702 is moot as the Veteran's claim for service connection is now established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with depression, anxiety, and sleep disorder is attributable to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service. As such, the appeal for service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his psychiatric disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of recent medical records.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD with depressive disorder NOS, has been productive of sleep impairment, suicidal ideation, near continuous depression, social isolation, paranoia, nightmares, hypervigilance, anger problems, avoidant behavior, obsessional rituals that interfere with routine activities, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. The Veteran's disability is currently rated at 70 percent disabling.

The Veteran's sleep-related symptoms are part of his major depressive disorder and do not constitute a separate disability. His post-operative nasal septum injury residuals have not been shown to warrant a compensable rating.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and denied both issues on appeal.