Depression Board decisions

The Board denied earlier effective dates for several service-connected conditions, including skin condition, flat feet, GERD, left knee condition, left wrist condition, and left wrist scar. The Veteran's fibromyalgia and hypertension were granted service connection.,Several issues are remanded for further review, including initial ratings for various disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and etiology opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. The examiner must determine if these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically related to in-service personal assault and sexual contact.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for major depression is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The current 50% rating is maintained.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence. The cases are now remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that there is new and relevant evidence for the claims of service connection for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and brain trauma. As a result, these issues are being remanded to allow for further review.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be related to exposure to herbicide agents during service. His acquired psychiatric disorder and right foot condition are not found to be related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed because he requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder, anxious distress, and alcohol use disorder was granted with an effective date of May 17, 2022.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disability to include depression, and vertigo was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.,Service connection is not granted as there is no direct evidence linking the current disabilities to active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, separate and distinct from her service-connected PTSD. The evidence did not show a current disability of an acquired psychiatric disorder at any time during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has dismissed all service connection appeals due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's proposed reductions in ratings for posttraumatic stress disorder, panic disorder with agoraphobia, major depressive disorder, and primary insomnia (psychiatric disorder) from 70 percent to 50 percent, and traumatic brain injury from 40 percent to noncompensable were dismissed as the January 2020 rating decision was a proposed action.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted due to presumed exposure during service in Thailand. The claims for Alzheimer's disease and dementia, right knee ACL tear and meniscus degenerative changes, depression, lumbar spine degenerative changes with lordosis, and right shoulder acromioclavicular joint impingement with mild tendinopathy are denied.,The Veteran was granted presumptive service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II under the PACT Act. The claims for Alzheimer's disease and dementia, right knee ACL tear and meniscus degenerative changes, depression, lumbar spine degenerative changes with lordosis, and right shoulder acromioclavicular joint impingement with mild tendinopathy remain denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, but denied the claim as there is no medical evidence showing a nexus between his current psychiatric conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence for readjudicating the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claim is remanded due to incomplete service records and a need for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error regarding verification of an in-service stressor involving the death of a parachutist at Fort Bragg in approximately the fall of 1996. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, will be reconsidered based on all evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disabilities caused or contributed to his death from COVID-19.