Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. The right knee and left hip disorders, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, traumatic brain injury (TBI), right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, major depressive disorder, and left rib calcium build-up are all considered new and material evidence has been presented.,A 30 percent rating for the Veteran's left ankle calcaneus fracture is granted effective January 4, 2012. An initial 70 percent rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and bipolar I disorder) is granted from April 29, 2013.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, including spondylitic changes of the lumbar spine. The issues of service connection for PTSD and depression are being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the veracity of the claimed stressors.

All claims for service connection related to bilateral otosclerosis with impaired hearing, post-operative stapedectomies have been dismissed.,The claim for service connection for a right knee disability as secondary to bilateral otosclerosis with impaired hearing, post-operative stapedectomies is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The claim for service connection for depression is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional evidence. The claims for service connection for insomnia and TDIU are also remanded as no statement of the case has been issued.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information on the Veteran's ability to function in an occupational environment with respect to his service-connected mental disabilities.

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

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, including depressive disorder NOS and anxiety disorder NOS, are granted as service-connected. Dermatitis is also granted as service-connected. Obstructive sleep apnea secondary to a service-connected nose disability is denied. Ratings for residuals of a fractured nose and scars on the right arm are denied.

The Veteran's claims of secondary service connection for depression and erectile dysfunction are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a search for missing service treatment records. The claim for L5-S1 disc herniation with sciatica is also being remanded.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent disabling from August 26, 2010 to January 25, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder are granted, with a remand for further development of his peripheral vestibular disorder and obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, rhinitis with nasal polyps and eustachian tube dysfunction, and variously diagnosed psychiatric disorders (including dysthymia and adjustment disorder). Service connection was denied for deviated nasal septum.

The Board found clear and unmistakable error in the February 2018 rating decision that continued a separate 10 percent rating for residuals of TBI, as there was too much overlap between the TBI symptoms and those of the diagnosed psychiatric disability. The Veteran's condition is now rated as major depressive disorder with anxiety features.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left wrist condition was denied, and the appeal is dismissed.,Service connection for a back condition has been reopened due to new evidence. The Board found that the Veteran’s back condition was aggravated by his service-connected knee disability.,Service connection for psoriasis has been granted as it is at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically his right knee disability and psychiatric conditions.,The claim for service connection for arthritis (secondary to right knee disability) is remanded. The Board found that there is insufficient evidence to determine if the arthritis is a progression of the service-connected right knee condition.,Service connection for a psychiatric condition (depression) has been granted as it is at least as likely as not aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically his right knee disability and psychiatric conditions.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression and anxiety due to incomplete development of evidence regarding in-service stressors. The Veteran's representative asserts that he did not receive a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors during service. The VA needs to obtain deck logs from the U.S.S. George Washington for the years 2002 and January-July 2004 to verify the Veteran's reported stressors.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU on a schedular basis from June 21, 2013 due to his service-connected right knee disability and PTSD with depression.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with depression from June 8, 2019 is remanded. The issue of a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis prior to June 21, 2013 is also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis prior to June 21, 2013 is referred to the Director, Compensation Service for consideration.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if service connection can be established for ischemic heart disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), anxiety, and depression, and a lung disability.

The Board has found that the VA examiner's opinions are not in compliance with prior remand instructions and requires additional examination to determine if the Veteran meets the schedular requirements for individual unemployability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and sleep difficulties due to a lack of current diagnosis. The claim for increased rating for lumbar spine disability was remanded.