Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions, requiring further medical evaluation to determine if any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disability is at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected urinary incontinence with chronic cystitis.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a low back disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of current disability manifested by dizziness and insufficient evidence linking his acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep disabilities to service. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD with major depressive disorder, fibromyalgia, and bilateral elbow conditions have been granted. The right and left medial and lateral epicondylitis claims are being reconsidered.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and adjustment disorder with depression as there was no valid diagnosis of PTSD at any time during the appeal period. The Veteran's anxiety and adjustment disorder were not found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol abuse is granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The left knee disability remains at a separate 10 percent evaluation for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder resulted in total occupational and social impairment throughout the appeal period prior to July 7, 2021. The Veteran is granted a 100% disability rating for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection for Major Depressive Disorder with Anxious Distress is granted. The evaluation higher than 10-percent disabling for Right L5 Pedicle Bone Cyst with a Normal Spine and the service connection for Problems Sleeping are remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for depression has been reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted so that the previously denied claim is reopened. Other claims are REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for depression, feet problems (gout), and gastroesophageal reflux disease were dismissed. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the August 1992 rating decision. Service connection is granted for tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep disturbances, and fibromyalgia (claimed as weakened stability in upper and lower extremities and painful joints). The Veteran's claim of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to insufficient opinions in previous evaluations. A new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of her psychiatric conditions, including considering potential personal assault-related PTSD.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary due to incomplete records and the need for specialized notice regarding in-service personal assault. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, and PTSD with major depressive disorder have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. A TDIU is granted from September 29, 2008 to February 17, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his claimed stressors and any acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder is rated at 100% from January 7, 2014. The TBI residuals are currently noncompensable. As the Veteran is now receiving a 100% rating for his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder, the issue of entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) has been dismissed as moot.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from September 25, 2005 to October 29, 2010 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with secondary depression has rendered him unemployable, and the Board grants TDIU effective as of December 8, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder have been granted service connection, and he is now eligible for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder have been granted an initial rating of 70 percent prior to May 7, 2014. The TDIU claim has also been granted.