Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and opinion with respect to the Veteran's claim for psychiatric disorder. The Veteran underwent such an examination in January 2015.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was not manifested by symptomatology approximating the criteria for a higher initial rating, and his service-connected disabilities do not meet the minimum standard for consideration of entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied across multiple conditions, with the Board finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not file a claim for service connection prior to October 7, 2009. Therefore, the effective dates of the grants of service connection are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is caused or aggravated by his service, specifically stressors reported while stationed in either Iraq or Saudi Arabia.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors and to obtain a comprehensive psychiatric examination. The claim will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals for all issues currently before the Board, including service connection for a left foot injury and PTSD; and higher disability ratings for the service-connected right knee arthritis and left knee arthritis.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher 100 percent rating is warranted due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding his claimed psychiatric disorders and to provide updated VA treatment records. The case will be further reviewed after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected lumbar and cervical disabilities. Effective July 11, 2012, the criteria for an increased initial rating of 30 percent for tension headaches have been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety, and depression have been denied as his claimed conditions are not related to active service.

The Veteran's PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety are related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete service personnel records and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for issuance of a Statement of the Case on his claim for an increased rating for PTSD with associated depression and for additional VA medical opinions to address service connection for cardiovascular disorders.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD, major depressive disorder, and panic disorder without agoraphobia that is as likely as not related to his military service. The Board grants the benefit of doubt in favor of the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's current diagnosis of DJD of the lumbar spine is presumed to be related to his in-service injury due to falling down stairs during service.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent disabling, effective April 4, 2011. The rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine remains unchanged.

The Board has determined that there is no new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The evidence received since the January 2007 rating decision does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate this claim.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service-connected left eye disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or separate disfigurement rating, and he is not entitled to SMC based on loss of use of vision.