Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claim for further development, including obtaining clinical records from Toul and Verdun hospitals where the Veteran was hospitalized after falling off a bunk in service. A new VA medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran has residuals of a head injury or TBI related to his documented fall.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder and COPD have been granted. A 10% rating has also been granted for COPD. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric condition. The case will be returned for further development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. His acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, is also granted. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depression and alcohol use disorder is rated at 70 percent effective July 24, 2015. The initial compensable rating for post-traumatic headaches prior to December 4, 2017, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter has been granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, chronic idiopathic demyelinating neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and major depressive disorder, all related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The evidence does not support direct or presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety is rated at 70 percent prior to July 29, 2020. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as secondary to hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral tinnitus, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, a heart condition, depression, and diabetes mellitus type II. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for rating reductions has been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is remanded due to a duty to assist error in failing to verify the Veteran's reported stressors during service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision. A TDIU based on service-connected PTSD is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his in-service stressors. The Board requests additional records from the NPRC and JSRRC to corroborate the Veteran's reports of exposure.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, but he receives a TDIU and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate. Basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder is found to be of sufficient severity to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, consistent with his history, education, skill, and training.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 8, 2014 for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) on account of the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the increased rating of 70 percent for unspecified anxiety and depressive disorders should be prior to February 14, 2019. However, due to a procedural error in determining whether new and material evidence was received within one year of the January 2019 rating decision, the case is being remanded.

Entitlement to an effective date earlier than February 6, 2014 for tension headaches as secondary to service-connected tinnitus is denied.,Entitlement to an effective date earlier than December 19, 2011 for depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was raised as part of his initial rating claim for major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder. The effective date for the grant of a TDIU is set at December 27, 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to a lack of evidence linking his current diagnoses to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to a lack of VA examinations and outstanding treatment records. The Veteran is also being asked to provide releases for any correctional facilities where he was incarcerated, as these records may contain relevant information.