Depression Board decisions

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, and for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Board dismissed these appeals.

The Board has determined that the VA examination report did not comply with the remand directives and thus, the Veteran's claim must be remanded for another VA examination to determine if his current psychiatric symptoms are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection for tinnitus is granted, and he receives a 30 percent initial rating for PTSD with secondary major depressive disorder prior to June 15, 2017. A higher rating of 70 percent is granted as of June 15, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and a higher rating for low back strain, as well as for unspecified depressive disorder. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also remanded due to the need for further development regarding his employment history.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU and basic eligibility for education benefits under Chapter 35 (DEA) from December 17, 2008. The effective date of these awards has been set at this time.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, urinary incontinence, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy, depression, and residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI).,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's depression is now rated at 70 percent, effective September 2, 2010. The rating for his hypertension remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not yet decided whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen each individual claim.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus. The other claims remain pending.

The Veteran's low back disability, intervertebral disc syndrome and herniated disc, and obstructive sleep apnea are all found to be related to service. The bipolar disorder is also considered a progression of the previously diagnosed depression.,A rating higher than 70 percent for bipolar disorder (previously characterized as depression) is remanded due to outstanding records.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are rated at 50 percent, but the Board has determined that there is evidence of worsening symptoms warranting a higher rating. The case is remanded to obtain additional VA and private treatment records, as well as documents from the Veteran’s attorney and private counselor.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, but his combined disability rating is sufficient to warrant consideration of extra-schedular TDIU. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and schedule the Veteran for an examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and major depressive disorder (MDD) are denied. The Veteran's hypertension and right elbow disability are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his military service and his current mental health conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment, but rather occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for his bilateral eye corneal scars to include right eye traumatic cataract. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied the claims for foot fungus condition and colon polyps. The claim for residuals of a right rectus lipoma removal was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for GERD is pending as it requires reopening.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and requests for additional information. The Veteran was not granted any new ratings or effective dates.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, low back disability with radiculopathy, testicular hypogonadism, and depressive disorder have been granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base.,Service connection has also been denied for bilateral cataracts.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since the period prior to March 28, 2007. The Board denied a higher rating as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a grant of financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only, as they do not result in loss or use of hands or feet.