Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include claustrophobia, unspecified insomnia disorder, depression, general anxiety disorder, and panic disorder is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the spine, left hip condition, right hip condition, an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than unspecified depressive disorder), and sleep apnea due to new evidence or clarification.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU due to diabetes mellitus type II. The case is returned for further review, including obtaining a medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's service connection claim for MDD is granted. The claims for PTSD, anxiety disorder NOS, and vertigo are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The VA is instructed to attempt to corroborate any in-service stressors, obtain additional treatment records, and provide a comprehensive examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, finding that there is no credible evidence linking his current mental health conditions to his military service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with severe recurrent major depression and alcohol use disorder is rated at 70 percent from December 1, 2019 to present.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, particularly PTSD and depressive disorder with possible psychiatric features. The Veteran is required to undergo another examination to determine if he currently has a psychiatric disorder related to service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted service connection, and his left ring finger disability remains at the maximum schedular rating.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, major depressive disorder, shoulder disorders, elbow disorders, wrist disorders, low back disorders, right ankle disorders, and left foot disorders. The appeal is not about service connection at all in some cases.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for depression, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome are denied. The claim for an increased rating for migraines is remanded.,The Veteran’s service-connected depression is currently rated at 50 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code (DC) 9411. Her claims for left and right knee disabilities are both rated at 10 percent under DCs 5260 and 5260, respectively. The claim for migraines effective August 16, 2016 is currently rated at 50 percent under DC 8100.,The Veteran's service-connected migraines are currently rated at 50 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code (DC) 8100 effective August 16, 2016. Her claims for increased ratings for depression and knee disabilities remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and pseudofolliculitis barbae, as well as his claims of service connection for arthritis, sinusitis, a cervical spine disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) are denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis, sinusitis, a cervical spine disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including persistent depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, finding that these conditions are due to his active duty.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder and low back disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 50 percent for the period prior to October 23, 2018, or in excess of 70 percent therefrom. For the low back disability, a rating in excess of 20 percent was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of whether a TDIU should be granted on an extraschedular basis prior to March 7, 2008.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for depression, an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right upper extremity radiculopathy, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with IVDS due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for individual unemployability due to his service-connected duodenal ulcer, prostate cancer, and unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of May 11, 2010 for service-connected Major Depressive Disorder is granted. The initial disability rating for MDD remains at 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and a need for further development, including an updated character of discharge determination, obtaining inpatient or clinical records from San Diego Naval Medical Center, and obtaining private medical treatment records.

The Board has dismissed all the claims as the Appellant opted into the modernized review system (AMA) and selected the Higher Level Review lane, thus terminating the adjudication of her appeals in the legacy system.