Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability resulted in total social and occupational impairment from September 2, 2008, to January 9, 2021. A 100 percent initial evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability is granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD and MDD, was granted service connection because it is considered a direct result of his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions. The VA will obtain new examinations and retrospective assessments to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for ESRD and depression and anxiety as secondary to ESRD due to inadequate medical opinions. The claims will be reviewed again with new expert opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting diagnoses and need for further examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after additional evidence is obtained.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, including as secondary to service-connected depressive disorder and/or left and right shoulder disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and colon cancer due to herbicide exposure. The claims were not reopened as new evidence was not provided.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are granted as they are at least as likely as not related to service.,Right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression and anxiety was reopened, and the Board has decided to grant this claim.

The Board's decision on the issues of service connection for liver damage, migraine headaches, a psychiatric disability (including anxiety and depression), and sleep apnea is dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The appeal has been vacated.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and MDD is being remanded due to the lack of recent medical records and a need for a new VA examination.

The Board has dismissed all issues of rating and service connection for various conditions, including major depressive disorder, amputation-related injuries, arthritis, shoulder conditions, hearing loss, headaches, heart conditions, and elbow/shoulder arthralgia. The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's TDIU claim before March 28, 2014 is remanded as there is a reasonable possibility that he was unemployable by reason of service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which may be related to service-connected lumbar spine and depression. The Veteran needs a new examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's anxiety, major depression, and PTSD are found to be related to his service, with the Board resolving doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left and right lower extremity disabilities, acquired psychiatric disorders, eye disability, shoulder disabilities, renal cyst, emphysema, fibromyalgia, stomach hernia disability, skin disability with impairment of the feet, and migraine headache disability. The reasons were lack of evidence or failure to report for VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and alcohol abuse in sustained full remission is granted at a 70% rating, effective from April 29, 2011. He also received TDIU and SMC based on housebound status.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional examinations. The Veteran was diagnosed with various psychiatric conditions during his service, but the VA examiner found no current disability related to service.

The Veteran's left foot disability, right foot disability, acquired psychiatric disability, COPD, GERD, left knee disability, and right knee disability are all granted as service-connected. The OSA claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other mental health disorders. The remand includes obtaining updated VA treatment records and attempting to corroborate the in-service stressor.