Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective March 30, 2015. He also receives a TDIU from that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypercholesterolemia is denied as it is a laboratory finding and not a disease or disability.,The effective dates for the awards of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and major depressive disorder with PTSD are both set at May 27, 2018, when the Veteran filed an intent to file a claim followed by a formal application in October 2018.,The Veteran's hypertension is not rated higher than 10 percent as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.,The Veteran's hypothyroidism is currently rated at 10 percent, but no higher, due to lack of myxedema and other complications.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II remains rated at 20 percent as it does not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 7913.,Major depressive disorder with PTSD is granted an initial rating of 70 percent, but no higher, for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and moderate depressive disorder, excluding the period from October 17, 2012 to February 1, 2013, is denied. The appeal is also denied for any further temporary total rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29 for PTSD during that period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD, to include unspecified depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder due to a lack of evidence linking his current condition to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence suggesting the Veteran continues to work, and he has not provided requested details about his employment and income. The Veteran is asked to provide this information.

The Board has dismissed the service connection claims for hepatitis and psychiatric disability (claimed as depression) due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete opinions and potential unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has remanded both respiratory disorder and psychiatric disorder issues to obtain additional evidence and opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, adjustment disorder, depression, and panic disorder, has been reopened. The claim is now granted as the evidence supports a link between his current symptoms and the in-service stressor of military sexual trauma (MST).

The Veteran was granted an earlier effective date of January 28, 2005 for the award of Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities rendering him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder other than Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), finding that there is no evidence of PTSD current during the period on appeal and concluding that the Veteran does not have any other psychiatric diagnosis related to service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board found no probative evidence linking it to service.

The Board has granted an initial 70 percent disability rating for major depressive disorder. The low back disability issue is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to consider the Veteran's timely submitted request for an additional 90-day period to submit evidence and argument, resulting in denial of his claim. The case is now being returned for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found the Veteran had BHL and remanded for a VA examination to determine its current severity. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced and in favor of a link between the Veteran's current condition and his active duty service.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of November 4, 2011 for the grant of service connection for PTSD based on new and relevant evidence received within a year of the April 2012 denial.

The claims for initial ratings and TDIU for service-connected anxiety disorder with depression are remanded due to the need for additional development, including a retrospective medical examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's symptomatology throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient medical evidence of record and a need for a combined-effects medical examination. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include major depressive disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, gout, lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome, left sciatic nerve impingement, right sciatic nerve impingement, hypertension, tinnitus, left upper lip scar, right thigh scar, left posterior thorax scar, and bilateral tinea pedis. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded to allow for a proper examination and evaluation of his employment impact.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and initial rating issues related to degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and persistent depressive disorder, respectively. The reduction in disability rating from 20% to 10% for residuals of stress fractures of the second and third metatarsals of the right foot was found improper and has been restored.