Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims due to a duty to assist error, requiring VA to obtain relevant private treatment records from identified sources.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, MDD, and ADHD due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. An addendum opinion is needed from a VA psychiatrist or psychologist.

The Veteran is seeking a higher rate of special monthly compensation (SMC) under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1114(t), which pertains to aid and attendance due to TBI, but the AOJ did not consider this issue in their initial decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, depression, anxiety, and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection, rating for CAD, scar secondary to CAD, and TDIU due to unavailability of Social Security Administration records.

The Board has granted service connection for joint pain/shin splints and remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder, which are claimed as service-connected conditions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these disorders based on in-service stressors related to his brother's death in Vietnam.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for lower back, right knee, and left knee disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) is also granted on a direct basis.

A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is granted, with the TDIU beginning from October 20, 2009. The case is remanded for additional development regarding service connection for bilateral knee replacements and an extraschedular rating for a lumbar spine condition.

The Board has remanded the claim for further development due to inadequate VA examination and lack of records. The Veteran's widow provided a statement describing her observations regarding his psychiatric symptoms, but the VA examiner was unable to provide an opinion without additional information.

The Veteran's service connection for major depressive disorder is granted. The Veteran's increased rating claim for diabetes mellitus, type II prior to August 22, 2012 and thereafter is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for further development to verify his claimed stressors and obtain a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of entitlement to a TDIU prior to November 9, 2015 due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, is granted. The request to reopen the issue of entitlement to service connection for a hand condition is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and antisocial personality disorder due to his failure to appear for a VA psychiatric examination without good cause. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of PTSD or a causal relationship between any diagnosed conditions and military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as she had substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period, including at a federal agency that paid her over $100,000 annually.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression, dysthymic disorder, anxiety disorder, somatic symptom disorder, and mood disorder, are proximately due to his chronic pain associated with his service-connected disabilities. As such, the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development as he has not provided the required VA Form 21-8940, which assesses his employment and educational history. The RO must also send him a letter requesting information relevant to determining if he is unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The claims for anxiety and depressive disorder have been denied.