Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The effective date claim is also denied as the original rating decision was final.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to March 9, 2015 and at 70 percent since then. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect his disability level.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination. The TDIU issue remains inextricably intertwined with the other remanded issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, claustrophobia, major depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case to afford the Veteran a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO due to his request for representation and need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining mental health clinic treatment records and VA treatment notes. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on all evidence added to the record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected major depression and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical inquiry into the Veteran's claim to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder.

The Veteran's entitlement to an effective date prior to May 12, 1994 for the award of special monthly pension (SMP) at the housebound rate is granted. The effective date is set as September 14, 1990.

The July 6, 2006 decision denied service connection for various conditions including depression, tinnitus, stroke, colon cancer, gastrointestinal problems (irritable bowel syndrome), and Type II diabetes mellitus. The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for her acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, has been dismissed as she withdrew the appeal through her representative in January 2014.

The Board found that the Veteran did not sustain an injury or event related to an acquired psychiatric disorder during service, and thus denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back strain and/or bilateral flatfoot. The claim for an increased rating for low back strain is also granted, with a current rating of 40 percent.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various mental health conditions, including PTSD, tinnitus, a sleep disorder, alcohol abuse, and depression. The Board has determined that new evidence supports reopening the claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (excluding adjustment disorder, personality disorder, and disabilities manifested by nervousness and/or memory loss).

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and incompetent cervix are being remanded due to the need for additional development of her claims file.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against finding that the Veteran has a depression disability that is etiologically related to service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities, specifically tinnitus. The claim for service connection for depression is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, other than PTSD, did not manifest until years after active service and are unrelated to military service.

The Veteran is seeking to continue her vocational rehabilitation benefits, but the VA has discontinued them. The Board will review the case and determine if there are any new or material evidence that could support reopening of her claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's major depressive disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right inguinal hernia repair.