Depression Board decisions

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to gather more recent medical evidence and conduct an examination to determine if the Veteran requires aid and attendance or is housebound due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent, but no higher, for the entire appellate period prior to November 18, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including whether there are any superimposed disorders and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is granted, and his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, service connection, and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to quadriplegia and psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines, psychiatric condition (stress disorder with depression), and right foot condition have been reopened. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen these claims.,Service connection has not been established for cholangiocarcinoma, as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and TBI is rated at 70 percent, effective December 6, 2016. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for chest pains.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, needs to be remanded due to insufficient evidence in the current record.

The Veteran's hypertension is proximately due to his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities, along with his depressive disorder, render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a 50% rating beginning April 29, 2011. The appeal for higher ratings remains pending.

The Veteran's left hip and pinky finger disabilities have been granted service connection. The appeal for tinnitus, hyperlipidemia, and residuals of a first finger injury has been dismissed.,The appeals for PTSD, anxiety, depression, bilateral hearing loss, headaches, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right hip disability are pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder have been reopened. The acquired psychiatric disorders are found to be related to his service-connected TBI and leg disabilities. His rating for the status post excision, xanthofibroma, left proximal fibula with old ununited proximal fracture with scar has been restored from 10% to 20%. Other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder was initially denied in 2009, but she continuously pursued the claim. The Board found that her August 2010 submission should be construed as a notice of disagreement with the February 2010 denial of service connection for major depressive disorder and granted an earlier effective date of November 7, 2008.

The Board has denied service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and has remanded the issues of service connection for a cervical spine disability, left arm radiculopathy secondary to a cervical spine disability, low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and depression.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to October 12, 2020. From that date, the evidence shows a more severe level of impairment warranting a 70 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete VA examinations and failure to verify his reported stressors. The matter will be returned for further action.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation due to incomplete records, lack of medical opinions on all claimed stressors, and need for additional examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for PTSD with major depressive disorder and anxiety is denied. The Board finds the current rating of 70 percent for PTSD is appropriate, but remands to obtain a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received after a final decision, and will consider all psychiatric disorders including PTSD related to service. The Veteran's substance abuse disorder is also being evaluated.