Depression Board decisions

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.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep apnea, tension headaches, allergic rhinitis, tinnitus, and right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for major depression disorder and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a low back condition and remanded it. The depression and cervical spine conditions are also remanded as they may be secondary to the low back condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disability, hypertension, and speech disability are not service-connected due to lack of credible evidence supporting their onset or connection to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for unspecified depressive disorder, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity due to a lack of adequate consideration of the Veteran's statements regarding his symptoms in the June 2016 and December 2018 affidavits. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims of anxiety with depression secondary to alcoholism and tinnitus, so these issues are dismissed.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. The Board finds new and material evidence in the form of post-service VA treatment records showing diagnoses such as PTSD, major depression, schizoaffective disorder bipolar type, etc., which supports reopening the previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and depressive disorder, including stressor verification and combat status. The Veteran must provide additional information about his service experiences.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to his service-connected major depression, which contributed to his hyponatremia and ultimately caused his death. The Board found a causal relationship between the Veteran's cause of death and his service-connected depression.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased evaluations, and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings were denied, and the issues are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is entitled to a higher rating for her dysthymia with major depression from May 30, 2012 to March 26, 2014, but not after that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate VA examinations and lack of clear and unmistakable evidence regarding pre-service OSA.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, specifically missing private psychological treatment records from a licensed marriage family therapist who has been treating the Veteran since 1988. The Veteran needs to provide authorization for VA to obtain these records.