Depression Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for left wrist strain and right eye condition. The Veteran's major depressive disorder and obstructive sleep apnea are granted as service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inextricably intertwined issue (service connection for depression) and will consider service connection for erectile dysfunction again.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded all substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him during the entire claim period from March 13, 2008 through August 30, 2017 and since November 1, 2017.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted a 70% rating, effective prior to November 14, 2019. A higher rating for the period since November 14, 2019, and service connection for a sleep disorder are both remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, fatigue, bilateral foot condition, depressive disorder (claimed as insomnia), facial fungal infection, and headaches due to exposure to environmental hazards during her service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to special monthly pension (SMP) was denied because he failed to provide the necessary information and forms requested by VA, leading to his abandonment of the claim.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, as well as chronic sinusitis. Additional development is needed due to missing service treatment records from the Veteran's first period of service.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability is secondary to his service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder. The Board has remanded the case for a new opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s substance abuse disorder, which may be related to his mental health issues, causes or aggravates his prescription pain medication use resulting in his gastrointestinal disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder was granted, with a rating of 70 percent. The claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and unavailability of certain records. The claims will be further developed with additional examinations and attempts to obtain missing records.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, and major depressive disorder. The Veteran's obesity, which was caused by his service-connected Lisfranc dislocations, is considered an intermediate step in establishing these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorders have been rated at 70% for the entire appeal period. The Board has determined that her symptoms more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for neurobehavioral effects/neurasthenia, depression and anxiety (including as secondary to neurobehavioral effects/neurasthenia), and bilateral plantar fasciitis due to insufficient development. The Veteran's Social Security Administration disability benefits records need to be obtained, along with any private medical records related to his claims.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and/or major depressive disorder due to new evidence received since the June 2012 rating decision. The Board also granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression and bilateral knee conditions, prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since October 1, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and his frostbite conditions are found to be related to service. The claim for depression is also reopened, but the evidence does not support a finding of service connection. Claims for peripheral neuropathy and hypertension remain denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and a need for additional development of evidence, including obtaining missing service records and private medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, substance abuse disorder, and skin disability are all granted. The skin disability is remanded for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C, an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to outstanding VA treatment records and potential private treatment records. A VA examination is also required for these claims.

The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders are rated at a 50 percent since April 9, 2013. Prior to that date, the rating is 50 percent.