Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to deficiencies in obtaining requested records, including Morning Reports from Fort Ord during the Veteran's active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety was reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for major depressive disorder with recurrent anxiety as secondary to his service-connected left knee patellofemoral syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Additional efforts are needed to verify the Veteran’s stressors and obtain VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral ingrown toenails, bilateral foot fungus, and depressive disorder. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service exposure to wet conditions which caused his current disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, effective January 14, 2010.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is denied as no new and material evidence was received within one year of the May 2011 rating decision.,The Veteran’s TDIU claim is remanded to develop his employment history records and consider extraschedular TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70 percent rating prior to June 23, 2010. The criteria for a higher rating were not met as of June 23, 2010. The Veteran was found unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, qualifying for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases for issuance of a Supplemental Statement of the Case, as there is additional evidence that needs to be considered.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cervical spine disability, low back disability, insomnia, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to new evidence received since previous decisions.

The Board has granted service connection for depression as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that additional VA treatment records are needed and that further examinations are required to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The issues of service connection for hypertension and TDIU are also remanded due to their inextricably intertwined relationship with the other issues.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of traumatic brain injury is dismissed. The Veteran has been granted a 100% rating for his Meniere's disease, and the issue of TDIU has been rendered moot due to the grant of a higher rating for Meniere's disease. The case is remanded for an opinion on whether Major Depressive Disorder was aggravated by Meniere's Disease.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a statement of the case regarding his claim for a temporary total evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29, as well as his increased evaluation claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and obesity/weight gain, both of which are associated with or secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety and depressive disorder).,The VA examiners found that there is no evidence linking these conditions to the service-connected psychiatric disorders.

The Board has denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for vertigo and remanded the issues of service connection for headaches as secondary to vertigo, initial disability rating for depression, special monthly compensation for aid and attendance, and specially adapted housing and/or a special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety, depression, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board will seek further examination and medical opinion regarding these issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression and anxiety, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The other issues are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, particularly PTSD. The Veteran needs to provide more information about his treatment and VA records need to be obtained for further examination.