Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, degenerative joint/disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, chondromalacia of the knees, migraine headaches, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since September 12, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD most nearly approximates deficiencies in most areas of work, school, family relationships, thinking, judgment, and mood without total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently service-connected, but the cervical spine disability and lumbar spine disability have not been established as service-connected.,Service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD) has been granted.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and depression were rated at 10 percent prior to April 13, 2015. From that date, the rating was increased to 50 percent. The Board found no evidence of total disability due to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder has been characterized by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records, particularly related to his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to schedule a videoconference hearing. The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial evaluations are pending.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and additional records are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The examiner must address whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are directly due to military service based on in-service stressors provided by the Veteran and his buddy statement.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a review by the VA Vocational Rehabilitation Division and consideration of an extraschedular rating if necessary.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and migraine headaches are service-connected. The Board has also found that the Veteran does not have multiple sclerosis, a back disability, or a neck disability. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is causally and etiologically linked to his active service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left foot disability, dental trauma, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (insomnia, depression, anxiety, PTSD). He also seeks increased ratings for his lower back and right shoulder disabilities. Additionally, he requests TDIU.,The Veteran has filed a claim for service connection due to a dental trauma in service. The VA treatment records from the Perkins Dental Clinic and Dr. Kim's office have not been obtained yet.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (insomnia, depression, anxiety, PTSD). He also seeks increased ratings for his lower back and right shoulder disabilities. Additionally, he requests TDIU.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a neck disability. The VA treatment records from Dr. Kim have not been obtained yet.,The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his lower back disability. An additional examination is needed to determine the extent of pain and loss of function during motion.,The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his right shoulder disability. An additional examination is needed to determine the extent of pain and loss of function during motion. The examiner should also consider whether there are any flare-ups that cause additional functional loss.,The Veteran is seeking TDIU. He has not provided updated information on his employment status since the last VA adjudication.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant's request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea are not related to service or service-connected diabetes, thus denying both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and requesting an addendum to the August 2015 VA examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) is not service-connected, but his alcohol dependence or abuse is denied as secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion and considering new private medical opinions. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder is still pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a failure to address the Veteran's PTSD medication and its relationship to hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, major depression, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bladder dysfunction, right shoulder arthritis, allergic rhinitis, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, and pseudofolliculitis barbae, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 1, 2012.