Depression decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine strain is rated at 20 percent, effective August 11, 2014. His right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each granted initial 20 percent ratings, effective August 11, 2014 and April 29, 2019 respectively. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective November 15, 2012. His right foot fibromatosis and left foot fibromatosis are granted service connection. His bilateral hip strains are secondary to his knee and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for updated treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for tinnitus is also granted.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary due to the failure of the VA examiner to address a relevant article submitted by the Veteran regarding the link between depression and sleep apnea. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature, onset, and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD and depressive disorder is remanded due to the duration of time since the last VA examination, which may have led to worsening symptoms. A new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence, including obtaining all relevant treatment records and conducting a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychological disorder other than major depressive disorder was denied. The claim for increased rating of residuals of lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease, including right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, is also denied.

Service connection is granted for a left elbow disability and consequent left elbow and forearm scar.,Service connection is denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder, TBI, left upper extremity radiculopathy, lumbar spine disability, or cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of PTSD and MDD with anxious distress are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for psychiatric disability, right shoulder disability, right hip disability, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied for bilateral hearing loss, type II diabetes mellitus, kidney disorder (to include secondary to type II diabetes mellitus), and bilateral eye disorder (to include secondary to type II diabetes mellitus). The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a compulsive eating disorder as secondary to service-connected major depressive disorder and PTSD, finding no current diagnosis of an eating disorder separate from the Veteran's service-connected conditions.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was also denied as secondary to the claimed eating disorder or service-connected PTSD. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current eating disorder and concluded that diabetes mellitus did not manifest within one year of discharge.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for benefits under 38 U.S.C. � 1805 and 1815, finding that he does not have a form of spina bifida other than occulta and his mother is not a Vietnam veteran.

The Veteran's depression is rated at a 50 percent rating, but no more, prior to October 7, 2019. The claim for TDIU prior to this date was denied.

The Board has ordered the remand of two issues: service connection for residuals of a left Achilles tendon rupture and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims will need to be further developed with additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, as they are related to his service-connected bilateral pes planus, bilateral hallux valgus, and/or bilateral tarsal tunnel syndrome with neuropathy. Additional VA examinations and medical opinions are needed to address the likelihood of secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining VA and private outpatient treatment records, as well as conducting new VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The claims include those related to depressive disorder, bilateral foot fungus, right knee disorder, PTSD, memory loss, sleep disorder (secondary to TBI), and right hernia.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his military service in Vietnam. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether any current diagnoses, including PTSD and depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, are related to the Veteran's active-duty service.