Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of December 9, 2019, for service connection for his acquired psychiatric condition is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for his acquired psychiatric condition is denied. The current rating of 70 percent is considered the highest possible under the applicable criteria.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for anxiety/depression, bradycardia, hearing loss, left knee disability, low back disability, migraines, right ankle disability, and tinnitus due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ should provide an examination for the Appellant's bradycardia.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors in the previous decisions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination addressing the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, which may be related to service. The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various acquired psychiatric disorders and bilateral foot shedding have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors and will schedule a VA examination for a psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, bilateral wrist condition, and bilateral foot pes planus are all granted as service-connected. The eating disorder claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and medical opinion are inadequate for adjudication, and thus remands the claims of service connection for PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of cancer of the throat, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression as they have been granted in a previous rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection and evaluation of major depressive disorder (MDD) with psychotic features is denied.,Service connection for cirrhosis of the liver is denied as there is no evidence that it began during service or is related to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for left shoulder disability is denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease and no persuasive evidence linking current condition to service.,Service connection for right shoulder disability is denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease and no persuasive evidence linking current condition to service.

The Board has remanded several claims, including earlier effective dates and increased ratings for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, ischemic heart disease, unspecified depressive disorder, TDIU, and DEA benefits. The Veteran's service records indicate possible exposure to herbicides in Thailand, which could support a presumption of exposure.

The Veteran's IBS, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, and unspecified depressive disorder are granted service connection. The Veteran's sinusitis is also granted service connection on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act. An increased evaluation of 30 percent for unspecified depressive disorder is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of major depressive disorder, bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy, right shoulder strain, anxiety disorder; and an increased rating for migraines. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to his failure to report to VA examinations in Ohio. The Board finds that he had good cause and the AOJ made a pre-decisional error by not scheduling him for an examination in Japan or via telehealth.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to the need to obtain Social Security Disability records and other pertinent information.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as Major Depressive Disorder with psychotic features, is due to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The decision on whether he is entitled to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, as well as his entitlement to TDIU based on service-connected disabilities, remains pending.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 50 percent since July 11, 2007. The Board has granted a higher rating for his depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depression and adjustment disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations. The appeals are now pending and need to be reviewed with new VA examinations.