Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the current nature and etiology of his cardiovascular disorder, including peripheral arteriosclerosis. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the claim for arteriosclerosis.

The Veteran's major depression has been rated at the highest schedular rating (100%) since January 28, 2010. The appeal for a higher initial evaluation prior to that date is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to address the relationship between his service-connected bronchial asthma and any psychiatric disorders. The issue of entitlement to TDIU remains inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been denied. The Board also found that the Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, but as the appeal is not about service connection at all, it remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and OCD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective May 31, 2006. The evidence does not show that his condition warrants a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection were denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is October 28, 2002 for depression secondary to fibromyalgia and February 27, 2003 for GERD.,For TDIU, the earliest possible effective date is October 28, 2002.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine if new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his claim of service connection for schizophrenia, as well as to adjudicate his claim for depression. The Veteran must provide additional information or evidence supporting these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder had post-service onset and is not related to his active service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable disability rating. The Board denied his claim for an increased evaluation as he failed to attend the VA examination without good cause.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service records and medical records. The Veteran's claims for psychiatric, skin, hearing loss, low back, hip, and knee disorders are also being reviewed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder are attributable to service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, SSA records, and deck logs from his ship during his claimed in-service stressor event.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for weakness and dizziness has been withdrawn. The claim of service connection for gastrointestinal disorder is pending, but there is no current diagnosis of a gastrointestinal disability in the record. Service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) remains pending. Tinnitus was not diagnosed in the record. The issue of an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability is also pending.

The Veteran was granted service connection for major depressive disorder and panic disorder as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spondylosis effective from September 24, 2004.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a video conference Board hearing. The claims related to service connection, disability ratings, and TDIU are not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and depressive disorder, as well as respiratory and nasal disabilities. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was granted effective October 9, 2007. The initial ratings assigned were 40 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy and 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.