Depression Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder, PTSD, and MDD, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a causal relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability and bilateral knee disabilities have been granted initial ratings of 50 percent for the entire rating period from May 16, 2013. The Veteran has also been granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has resulted in total occupational and social impairment prior to September 2, 2020, warranting a 100% disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for depression and a compensable rating for tension headaches associated with sleep apnea due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran needs to be examined by a psychiatrist or psychologist to determine if he has depression, as well as an examination to assess the severity of his tension headache disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board finds that further development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination, is necessary.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for depressive disorder and lumbar stenosis and low back dysfunction were denied due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's effective date for a 40% rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine is set at March 29, 2019. The Board also granted an earlier effective date for TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance eligibility.

The Board has remanded the claims of an increased evaluation for service-connected low back disability and for entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, PTSD, and anxiety. The Veteran's low back disability is being evaluated again due to inadequate examination findings, and his acquired psychiatric disorder is being evaluated again as it may be related to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting diagnoses and a need for further examination or medical review. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and conflicting medical evidence regarding the Veteran's mental health diagnosis. A new examination is needed to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent effective March 18, 2019.,Service connection for sleep apnea and migraine headaches secondary to major depressive disorder is remanded.

Service connection for erectile dysfunction and frequent urination is denied.,Service connection for depression has been granted, but the Veteran's initial compensable rating remains at noncompensable.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Major Depressive Disorder and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are being remanded due to the need for additional development of her VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to an inadequate statement of reasons and bases in a previous decision. The Veteran's psychiatric condition is being reviewed, as well as his skin rash condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot condition, back condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder have been reopened. The cases are now remanded to the RO for further development.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and PTSD will be reconsidered with a new medical opinion considering his lay statements.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is granted. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to September 26, 2019 remains before the Board.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, anxiety, and chronic pain syndrome) due to incomplete examination findings and lack of consideration of relevant medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the claim for total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's employment status and functional impairment caused by his service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned after further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, a low back condition, a left leg condition, a heart condition, an eye disorder, diabetes mellitus, and sleep apnea. The VA is required to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.