Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain relevant medical records and consider new evidence. The Veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia, unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and panic attacks are also being considered.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of October 15, 2003 for the award of service connection for her unspecified depressive disorder is granted. An initial increased rating of 70 percent for her unspecified depressive disorder is also granted effective October 15, 2003. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for fibromyalgia and migraine headaches are denied. A TDIU is granted effective October 15, 2003. SMC at the housebound rate is granted effective October 15, 2003.

The Veteran's claustrophobia and insomnia disorder have been granted service connection, as well as his PTSD, MDD, phobic anxiety disorder, claustrophobia, and agoraphobia. His tinnitus has also been granted service connection.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss was denied due to the lack of a compensable degree of hearing impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if the Veteran's PTSD is related to a verified in-service stressor. Service connection will be granted for depression and sleep apnea, but service connection for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his in-service incidents and medical records. The issues of psychiatric disorders, left ankle disability, and right leg disability are being reviewed with additional development.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to his service-connected low back and right knee disabilities, effective April 14, 1999.,Effective April 14, 1999, the Veteran is granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has denied service connection for anxiety and depression, as there is no evidence of a diagnosed disability. Service connection for the stomach condition (GERD) is remanded due to insufficient examination regarding its relationship with PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination and a need for further evaluation of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety with substance use.

The Board has identified additional evidence that was not considered in the previous decision and has requested a waiver for its consideration. The claims are being remanded to allow for readjudication of these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is granted as the evidence is at least in equipoise that his current depressive disorder began during service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, finding that there is sufficient evidence to link these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other mental health conditions, as well as secondary service connection for substance use disorders, sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus type II. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is found to be secondary to his bilateral hearing loss, and therefore service connection for this condition is granted. The Board also finds that hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea are likely caused by or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent, but no higher, for the period prior to March 6, 2018. For the period from March 6, 2018, a 100 percent rating is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acrophobia, anxiety, major depressive disorder, and erectile dysfunction with hypogonadism are remanded due to the need for medical examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The claim to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for schizophrenia (now also claimed as manic depression, bi-polar instability, boredom, and inability to concentrate and follow instructions) is granted. Service connection for schizophrenia (now also claimed as manic depression, bi-polar instability, boredom, and inability to concentrate and follow instructions) is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of September 11, 2018. Prior to this date, the evidence did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent from June 27, 2014. The Board also granted entitlement to a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD and depressive disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder are related to in-service stressors.,The Veteran's alcohol use disorder is secondary to his service-connected PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder. His pancreatitis is also secondary to his alcohol use disorder.

The Veteran's cause of death was a subdural hematoma due to alcohol intoxication. The Board finds that remand is necessary for a VA medical opinion regarding the likely etiology of his psychiatric disorders and whether they are related to service.