Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a disability rating of 50 percent. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an extraschedular rating for his headaches, lumbar disc disease, or hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion and a Social and Industrial Survey. The Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is being reviewed, as well as his TDIU issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with anxiety and depression is causally related to service, thus granting his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board found that the appellant's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, did not begin during or as a result of an incident in service and thus denied service connection.,The February 2015 VA examiner concluded that the appellant's current heel pain is more likely due to his obesity and vascular disease rather than previous stress fractures from service.

The Veteran's atherosclerosis of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is due to his service-connected ischemic heart disease. The Veteran has metatarsalgia of the right foot, but no other diagnosed foot condition. His acquired psychiatric disability (adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression) and kidney disease are not related to his active service or any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of some issues related to his prostate condition and sleep apnea. The decision also includes a determination that he is eligible for special monthly compensation.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration disability benefits information and National Guard service records.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a pancreas disorder related to the Veteran's service, and thus denied his claim for service connection. The psychiatric disorders are also not found to be directly related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is currently evaluated at a 50 percent rating, and the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant an evaluation higher than this.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, to include as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities is being remanded due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between his current condition and service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new examination. The effective date of the increased rating remains under review.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with intermittent explosive disorder has been rated at 70 percent throughout the appeal period, and he is now entitled to a TDIU beginning May 30, 2014.

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

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining relevant medical records and a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the appellant's depression began during service or is related to his pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, skin condition, hypertension, and residuals of colon surgery have been denied. The Board finds that further examination is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

New and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran was diagnosed with PTSD during a VA psychology consultation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA examination of his major depressive disorder.