Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for stroke residuals, as well as TDIU and SMC issues. The Veteran's current rating for his trauma-related disorder with persistent depressive disorder remains at 70 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service stressor that caused his condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's depression is secondary to his service-connected physical disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicide agents and further examination is needed.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's unspecified trauma related disorder, effective from the date of the January 2016 decision. The disability is rated under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to concerns about the increase in dosage of Gabapentin and its potential impact on his left eye, lumbar spine, and psychiatric conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension as secondary to PTSD due to inadequate examination findings and conflicting diagnoses.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to failure to appear for VA examinations. The issues include a rating increase for deviated nasal septum, service connection for psychiatric disorders, sleep apnea, and eye conditions.

Service connection for glaucoma is denied.,An effective date prior to February 22, 2017 for the award of service connection for major depressive disorder with anxious distress disorder is denied.,An effective date of August 9, 2015 (but no earlier) for the award of service connection for diabetic retinopathy is granted, subject to regulations governing the payment of monetary awards.,Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for diabetic retinopathy is denied.,Entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for type 2 diabetes mellitus is denied.,Entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent (prior to February 15, 2017) and in excess of 40 percent (from February 15, 2017) for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied.,Entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent (prior to February 15, 2017) and in excess of 40 percent (from February 15, 2017) for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied.,An effective date of August 9, 2015 (but no earlier) for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU rating) is granted, subject to regulations governing the payment of monetary awards.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete service treatment records, lack of audiograms in those records, and the Veteran's inability to assist further. The Board also requested a new opinion on both issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for insomnia was denied due to his failure to report for a VA examination. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including adjustment disorder with mixed disturbances, generalized anxiety, recurrent moderate major depression, intermittent explosive disorder, and mood disorder.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of major depressive disorder as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spondylosis.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and secondary service connection for MDD and psychotic disorder with hallucinations due to the Veteran's service-connected Parkinson's disease.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating of 70 percent for service-connected persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress and entitlement to TDIU was granted. The decision also confirmed the initial 50 percent disability rating for this condition.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is rated at 20 percent and his unspecified depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent. Both conditions are denied for increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the claim for a higher rating for PTSD due to insufficient discussion of occupational impairment in the original decision. The Court found that VA should obtain additional records and conduct another examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected mental disorder, including differentiating between symptoms attributable to PTSD and those from non-service connected Major Depressive Disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and depression, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current conditions and service.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for headaches was denied, and his service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a GI disorder were granted. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature of the Veteran's insomnia and TDIU.