Depression Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim of an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to July 2, 2015 and in excess of 30 percent thereafter for depression associated with recurrent lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the failure to address a timely Notice of Disagreement filed by the Veteran following an April 2009 rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and a higher rating for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and unspecified alcohol-related disorder. The evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 16, 2014, for the 50 percent increased rating grant for depressive disorder was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for shortness of breath was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his mental health conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder with PTSD, left shoulder injury, and left humerus disability are all rated at the maximum allowable levels. The Board has found that there is a need for further examination to assess the current severity of these conditions due to their worsening since last examined.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and examination, including corroboration of the Veteran's in-service roommate incident.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's GAD and MDD warrant a rating of 50 percent, but not higher. The decision also denied her TDIU claim. Both issues are being remanded due to unclear information regarding hallucinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, coronary artery disease, restrictive lung disease, right knee arthralgia, and residuals of left tibia fracture have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's employment status, income/net worth, and psychiatric disability. The Veteran will need to provide updated VA treatment records and complete forms for private medical providers.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, superficial peroneal nerve disability, and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The claim for TDIU is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board has remanded this case due to the need for further verification of in-service stressors and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for arthritis, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder), asthma, sleep apnea syndrome, and hearing loss. The claims are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for depression with anxiety, as claimed as PTSD and a mental health condition. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of major depressive disorder as secondary to his service-connected right wrist disability, finding that there is reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran and thus granting the claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, depression, and adjustment disorder, are found to be related to service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine is granted. The claim for service connection for depression is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, back disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. The diagnoses include PTSD, MDD, unspecified neurocognitive disorder, and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to February 27, 2015.