Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer residuals and depressive disorder, render him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment as of January 1, 2018. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for alcohol use disorder, anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, and other specified schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted (alcohol use disorder) while others were denied (anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, and other specified schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is related to service, and remanded for further examination and opinion regarding other issues. The remaining claims are also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, depression and anxiety. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding that his current diagnoses are related to in-service personal assault.

The Veteran's service-connected major depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder qualifies him for Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions caused or aggravated his stroke with acute respiratory failure, which led to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an updated medical opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and unspecified anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and remanded the remaining issues on appeal, including a TDIU determination.

The Board has determined that the severance of a temporary total rating for PTSD and major depressive disorder based on hospitalization from April 6 to May 1, 2016, was not proper. The Veteran's treatment during this period qualified as hospital treatment in excess of 21 days.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD, which was granted on September 28, 2011. The Board has determined that this claim should be resolved in favor of the Veteran and grants the requested effective date.,Two other claims related to TDIU and DEA benefits are also remanded due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and Major Depression render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, qualifying for TDIU.,An effective date of February 27, 2017, is granted for the award of service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as his VA Form 9 was not received within a year of the June 2018 rating decision or within 60 days of the April 2020 SOC.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed military sexual trauma and personal assaults, which are necessary for service connection. The VA will attempt to verify these events and consider them in a future decision.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The right ankle disability was not rated higher than 10 percent, while the specified depressive disorder was not rated higher than 50 percent.

The Veteran's anemia, erectile dysfunction, tachycardia, thrombocytopenia, L5 radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, major depressive disorder, panic disorder, somatic symptom disorder, and lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease are all found to be caused by his service-connected acute myeloid leukemia (AML).,The Veteran's fatigue is not considered a separate disability from his AML-related conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, or a mood disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to July 27, 2012, is granted with an effective date of February 29, 2012.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, with the presumption of soundness applying.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.