Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with previous directives and insufficient notification of a VA examination. The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, are being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has increased the Veteran's rating for Major Depressive Disorder to 70 percent from August 25, 2016. The issue of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected MDD is remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inability to schedule a VA examination because of the Veteran's incarceration. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, arose during active service or ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for scar status post left knee surgery is denied.,Service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include depression, is denied.,The claim for service connection for a trachea disorder secondary to service-connected lumbar spine DDD and spondylosis is remanded.,The Veteran's increased rating claims for the left knee disabilities are remanded.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for his lumbar spine disability prior to March 26, 2019 is remanded.,The Veteran's increased rating claims for radiculopathy of both lower extremities are remanded.,The Veteran's service connection claim for increased urinary frequency as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine DDD and spondylosis is remanded.,The Veteran's service connection claim for erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine DDD and spondylosis is remanded.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders, as well as increased ratings for pilonidal cyst and scars. The TDIU and SMC claims are also remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ankle sprain, right ankle sprain, and hypothyroidism were denied. The Veteran was granted a 10% rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus but denied higher ratings for other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence for the Veteran's claimed PTSD stressor. The Veteran needs further assistance in verifying his alleged incident and may require a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for residuals, right Achilles tendon injury. The claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is reopened and remanded due to the submission of new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim (an in-service stressor). Other issues are also being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for SMC due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran is not permanently bedridden, in need of regular aid and attendance, or so helpless as to be in need of such assistance.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an etiology opinion regarding whether the Veteran's depressive disorder is related to his active duty service, and if so, whether it is secondary or aggravated by his service-connected left ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, left knee disability, and major depressive disorder (MDD), finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case to the Director, Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to verify a non-combat stressor related to witnessing an injury in service, and for a VA examination to assess the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's PTSD and depression are related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his prostate disability was denied, and the Board found that he is already receiving the maximum schedular rating. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's initial rating for a psychiatric disability was granted at 70 percent, but no higher. The issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction and TDIU were remanded.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, was denied a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to May 16, 2013. From that date, the Veteran is granted a 70 percent rating for this condition. The back disability claim was also denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, but has remanded both issues due to insufficient evidence of a link between the conditions and service.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of March 22, 2012 for the service-connected psychiatric disability based on the Veteran's formal diagnoses under the DSM.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence, including a lack of VA examination and consideration of private treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is being reviewed again with additional information.