Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's current depression is found to have first become manifest during service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, depression, and alcohol use disorder do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and entitlement to a TDIU have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeals by filing.

The Board has granted service connection for depression, finding that the Veteran's current depression is at least in part related to his active service. Service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA records and arranging for a psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, PTSD, depression, and other conditions are pending.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the maximum (100%) since February 3, 2012. He also received a separate 60% rating for his coronary artery disease. As a result of these ratings, he is no longer eligible for a TDIU.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is related to his service-connected disabilities. His hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service or any incident therein. The Veteran's left leg being shorter than the right leg is related to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination. The issues of service connection for depression secondary to duodenal ulcer disease and entitlement to TDIU are also being reconsidered.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was granted service connection and assigned a 30 percent initial rating effective November 7, 2005.,The Veteran contends for an earlier effective date of his service-connected depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, headaches, and depression were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination to clarify whether any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder is caused by or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's mood disorder and depressive disorder. The decision is pending further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing and for issuance of a Statement of the Case on the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's major depression and left lower extremity radiculopathy are found to be at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by her service-connected lumbar spine disability. The remaining claims for service connection for various orthopedic disabilities, including right knee, cervical spine, hip, and shoulder disabilities, will be remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a new VA examination. The issues include service connection for various psychiatric conditions, chronic pneumonitis, LBBB, ulcerative colitis, and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing at the Nashville, Tennessee RO. The issues include service connection claims and reopening of a diabetes claim.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to substantiate the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, alcohol dependence, and pain disorder are currently rated at 70 percent disabling. The rating is denied as the evidence does not show total occupational and social impairment.