Depression Board decisions

The Board has denied service connection for eczema, a psychiatric disability including depression, Gilbert's disease, and G6PD deficiency. The issues of service connection for Gilbert's disease and G6PD deficiency are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, resulting in the grant of TDIU. The noninitial MDD rating claim is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, as well as hypertension. The claims are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and a need to obtain relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 24, 2002 for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder is granted. For the entire period on appeal (beginning March 15, 2012), the Veteran is rated at a 70 percent disability rating for his major depressive disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot hallux valgus, right foot hallux valgus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and an acquired psychiatric disability (depressive disorder due to chronic pain syndrome with major depressive-like episodes and with anxious distress) as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, migraine headaches, depressive disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand and arm, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand and arm, prevent her from securing and following any substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, a TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The decision on these issues will be reconsidered after further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, major depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and stimulant use disorder rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to November 1, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is granted. The claims for bilateral hip and knee disabilities are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, thrombosis, poor circulation, and edema. The SMC claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with other issues.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder prior to September 3, 2014 are rated at a 70 percent disability level.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for depression, anxiety, and headaches due to the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled VA examinations. The Veteran is advised that she needs to provide an estimated time or year when she can attend a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations.

The Veteran's recurrent depression is related to his service patrolling the coast of Cuba, including Guantanamo Bay. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his major depressive disorder and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition, as well as consideration of additional symptoms not previously addressed in previous examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability and denied an earlier effective date for TDIU. The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is not related to active service or her service-connected right foot disability, and she was found employable prior to October 19, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, depression and bipolar disorder is remanded due to inadequate VA examination. Further development is required.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date and has remanded the issue of entitlement to a higher rating for service-connected anxiety disorder, panic disorder, depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has ordered remand due to incomplete development of the record, specifically regarding preexisting condition and secondary service connection issues for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.