Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including his in-service shooting incident and treatment records.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder, due to incomplete STRs and lack of a VA examination. The Veteran's STRs show he reported frequent trouble sleeping and occasional insomnia during service, but no in-service diagnosis or treatment for depression. The Board finds that additional efforts are needed to obtain complete STRs and clarify the Veteran's reports of mental health issues.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right hand disorder, a low back disorder, and a right leg injury due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and a need for an addendum opinion addressing service connection on both direct and secondary theories.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a depressive disorder prior to November 2, 2016, and his initial rating for depression have both been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder and PTSD. The decision finds that the Veteran's current condition is traceable to his service in The Old Guard.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and an acquired psychiatric disorder diagnosed as major depressive disorder have been granted. The criteria are met for entitlement to service connection on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents in Korea during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete research on a claimed stressor and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding the Veteran's PTSD, sleep apnea, and their combined effect on his employability. The Veteran is seeking TDIU based on service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since February 1, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder has rendered her unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD prior to July 22, 2020 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD symptoms. For the period from September 5, 2013 to July 21, 2020, the Veteran's TDIU claim for PTSD was granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because he has been employed throughout the period on appeal and there is no persuasive evidence that his service-connected conditions prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and major depressive disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during service.

The Board has decided that the earlier effective dates for service connection of various disabilities are remanded due to incomplete documentation regarding scheduling of VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of favorable ankylosis or forward flexion less than 15 degrees, and thus, no increased rating was granted. Service connection for sleep disorder and acquired psychiatric disorders (including major depressive disorder) are remanded due to lack of current diagnoses. Service connection for low back pain is also remanded. The Veteran's alcohol use disorder claim is remanded as well.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, excluding PTSD, are being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and instructed the AOJ to obtain specific treatment notes from McHenry CBOC. The effective date for the increased rating remains pending.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms most closely approximated a 30 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, is due to his active military service. The Board has granted the claim for service connection on a direct basis.