Depression decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the Veteran's personnel records and the need for an updated opinion from a VA examiner regarding his psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residual lacerations to the third digit of the right hand was denied. The Board found no evidence of limitation of motion or ankylosis, and thus, a noncompensable rating is appropriate. For service connection claims, the Veteran's depression claim was also denied as there was no current diagnosis linking his condition to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with her educational and vocational experience, and the Board finds that she is unemployable due to her service-connected conditions.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical evidence and conduct an examination, as the current VA examination report did not consider all relevant records and may have used incorrect diagnostic criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, confirming the Veteran's current address, scheduling a VA examination, and asking the Veteran to identify any additional relevant medical evidence.

The Board is remanding the case for a video conference hearing as requested by the Veteran and his representative.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating. The Board also found that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a psychiatric examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected major depressive disorder. Effective date issues are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, were denied as the evidence did not establish a link between her current symptoms and in-service stressors or other incidents.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to address the current severity of his service-connected PTSD and any other diagnosed mental disorders. The claim for TDIU has also been raised by the record but must be adjudicated prior to deciding the initial rating issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot, left ankle and left shoulder conditions have been withdrawn.,The Veteran has been granted service connection for right hip degenerative joint disease, right foot fungal infections, pes cavus and degenerative joint disease of the right elbow, and depressive disorder as secondary to his service-connected right foot and right elbow conditions.,Service connection was denied for a left hip condition due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and schizoaffective disorder. The Veteran's claims were based on her belief that she was sexually assaulted during service, but there is insufficient corroborating evidence.

The Veteran's schizophrenia with major depressive disorder is found to have been incurred in service.,PTSD was not diagnosed during the appeal period and thus, service connection for PTSD cannot be established.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and prostate cancer, along with erectile dysfunction, make him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to May 24, 2012. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, hearing loss, eye problems, dizziness, anxiety, depression, gout, diabetes mellitus (type II), and peripheral neuropathy have been granted. The effective date is not specified as the decision was issued in October 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder but denied the claim for an increased rating for residuals of colon cancer, finding that there is no current evidence linking the Veteran's symptoms to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right leg disorder, back disorder, headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder have been granted. The effective date of the grant is not specified.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a depressive disorder and TDIU due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the depressive disorder to his military service or any service-connected condition, and concluded that he could engage in sedentary employment.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected asbestosis and depressive disorder, preventing him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation based on his education and work experiences.