Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues for increased ratings, and the Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA medical records, conduct examinations, and consider the claims in light of new evidence. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional VA opinions regarding his claimed anxiety and mental health symptoms related to his hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 100% for his psychotic disorder, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder was granted. The issue of service connection for PTSD has been withdrawn. Service connection for tinnitus and lumbar spine disability is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of her acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder and anxiety. The RO must obtain all outstanding mental health service treatment records from Tripler Medical Center and provide a VA examination to determine if any currently-diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service or caused by her service-connected TBI.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluation for major depressive disorder, service connection for endometriosis and uterine fibroids with pelvic pain, and service connection for residual scars are all remanded due to the need for updated medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings or service connection based on his symptoms.

The Veteran's new or additional disabilities, including diverticulitis and anastomotic leak complications, were caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA during his June 1, 2010 sigmoidectomy at Huntington VAMC. The Board found that these disabilities were proximately caused by VA treatment and granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain missing VA treatment records and for a new examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye disability and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding of a nexus between any current eye conditions and service, nor was there sufficient evidence to find that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis effective January 14, 2013 for the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches and other disabilities. The decision is based on evidence showing that the Veteran was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claim for PTSD is granted. The Board has also remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for Depression and Anxiety.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, asthma, and a cardiac disorder. The claims for depression are remanded due to incomplete VA examination reports.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including panic disorder with agoraphobia and depressive disorder, is granted. The Board found that her current psychiatric condition is attributable to her military service.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its remand directives and has therefore ordered the case to be returned for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been granted. The initial rating of 50 percent effective November 25, 2015, was appropriate, and a higher initial rating is not warranted during this time period.,Service connection for PTSD has been granted with an initial 70 percent rating effective June 3, 2016.

For the period from January 2, 2014 to August 24, 2020, the Veteran was granted TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. Beginning August 25, 2020, the Veteran's TDIU is no longer applicable as he has a 100% disability rating for persistent depressive disorder and receives SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his service in Vietnam and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder, NOS is granted a 70% rating from November 1, 2011. The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease remains at a 10% rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus has been withdrawn.,The Board is remanding the issues of service connection for cervical spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depressive disorder, chronic anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)), type II diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for low back disability is also being remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, are remanded for further examination to determine their etiology. The claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and headaches are also remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature with the psychiatric claim.