Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and groin and bilateral testicle pain disorder due to inconsistencies in the evidence of record, including a lack of documentation of service connection for these conditions. A VA examination is required to determine if there is a link between the claimed disorders and active duty service.

The Veteran's migraines, right wrist strain, and MDD have been granted initial ratings. GERD has also been granted an initial rating, but the effective date is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to lack of sufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being reviewed again as it may be related to MST.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and verification of stressors. The claim for high triglycerides is denied as it is not a disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and reasoning regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder and anxiety.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided in this case is inadequate and remands for a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence associated with the Veteran's service treatment records, and for obtaining additional medical opinions regarding his psychiatric disabilities. The issues of service connection, temporary total evaluation, and TDIU are inextricably intertwined and must be addressed together.

The Veteran's service treatment records show he had complaints and diagnoses of anxiety disorder and depression during his honorable period of service. The Board found that the RO erred in not finding these conditions, leading to a reversal of the previous denial.

The Board dismissed the appeal of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The issue of reopening a claim of entitlement to service connection for memory loss is granted, but the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability remains denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with panic attacks and depressive disorder with psychotic features and insomnia disorder, resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. However, the evidence does not support a higher rating due to lack of consistent reports of severe symptoms such as frequent panic attacks or hallucinations.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to service-connected hypothyroidism, should be remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disability, claimed as depression, has been withdrawn.,Service connection for hepatitis C and liver disease was denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service or secondary to another condition. New and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected depression and headaches are found to have caused her obstructive sleep apnea, which is now granted as secondary to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA must obtain an addendum opinion and consider all relevant treatment records and statements of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a personality disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and cognitive disorders, are remanded due to inadequate reasons and bases in the previous decision. The VA is required to obtain private treatment records and provide an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain gainful employment, leading to a TDIU.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected TBI and PTSD with depression, which have prevented him from working since November 2009.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for major depressive disorder was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent.,The effective date for service connection for lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied because there was no indication that the Veteran intended to apply for benefits until December 3, 2012.