Depression Board decisions

The Board has decided that further development is needed for the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression. The remand includes verifying the specific dates of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA) during the Veteran's Air National Guard service from April 1990 to March 2000.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of July 22, 2008, but not earlier, for the grant of service connection for MDD with PTSD is granted. The Veteran's initial rating for MDD with PTSD is also granted at a 70% level from July 22, 2008, to May 14, 2009, and denied above that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for major depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, alcoholism, and a low back disorder due to potential conflicts with the Court’s decision. The VA must obtain SSA records, provide a new VA examination for his back condition, and provide a VA psychiatric examination to determine the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance, as his need for assistance stems primarily from his non-service-connected cyclical vomiting syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with MDD was granted effective from April 7, 2007. The Board found that the Veteran had a psychiatric illness including PTSD and MDD at the time she submitted her application for VA benefits in April 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to May 1, 2014. As of May 1, 2014, the Veteran’s psychiatric diagnoses manifested in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, and anxiety (claimed as PTSD). The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and evaluations of various conditions have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The right shoulder disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depression, anxiety), and multiple sclerosis claims are still pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development due to the need for additional medical records and authorization.

The Board has determined that the NODs received on August 23, 2017 were timely for all issues except PTSD. The claims are being remanded to allow the AOJ to issue a statement of the case (SOC) for those issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for clarification on the nature of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder. The claims for service connection are also pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss disability, erectile dysfunction, a sleep disorder (RLS), and a headache disorder (migraines) are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an evaluation higher than 10 percent for patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for a scar of the left knee is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an evaluation higher than 10 percent prior to May 29, 2018 and higher than 40 percent from that date for low back strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a separate evaluation for bilateral sciatic radicular pain is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and a need for further examination to determine if his current psychiatric condition is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, headaches, and a psychiatric disorder (including depression) due to additional development being necessary. This includes obtaining records from his service period in May 1985, private medical records, and VA examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including sarcoidosis, PTSD, depressive disorder, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, bilateral shin splints, and headaches. The appeals are pending further adjudication.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder (Depression), and Alcohol Dependence as secondary to PTSD due to conflicting medical evidence and arguments from the Veteran.

The Board has remanded several claims including service connection, disability ratings, and effective dates due to new evidence received after the issuance of the SOC.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disorder, and a bilateral knee disorder have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a link between the current conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of left pneumothorax was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and major depressive disorders.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Depressive Disorder due to another medical condition (MS), finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.