Depression Board decisions

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case will be remanded to obtain a VA medical opinion addressing the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to non-compliance with the Board’s previous directives.

Service connection for memory loss is denied. A rating of 50 percent, but no higher, for depression is granted effective August 20, 2012. The claims for increased ratings for left hip osteoarthritis with limited extension, left knee chondromalacia, radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are denied as a matter of law.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he was not unemployable by reason of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder, left hand and right hand disorders, and left knee disorder. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression is service-connected, as it was incurred during his military service.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection have not been properly adjudicated and requires further development.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with unspecified depressive disorder and alcohol and cannabis use disorders, is currently rated at 70 percent prior to January 26, 2017, and the appeal for a higher rating has been denied. The Veteran also received a TDIU since his last day of gainful employment on August 1, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a mental health condition, rating higher than 60 percent for renal insufficiency with hypertension, and service connection for a sleep condition. The claim for extraschedular consideration of tinnitus is also remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic low back pain was denied as there is no evidence of a low back disability related to his military service.,The Veteran's depression rating was denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, with occupational and social impairment in most areas but not total occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran's left knee disability ratings were denied as they do not exceed 10 percent due to pain, limitation of motion, and slight instability without further functional impairment.,The Veteran's right knee disability ratings were denied for the same reasons as his left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a lipoma removal from the top of his head has been granted. His claims for left and right ankle disabilities, excluding Achilles tendonitis, have also been granted with effective dates based on when he first filed his initial claim. The Veteran's depressive disorder and obstructive sleep apnea are found to be related to his service-connected conditions, and his headaches are secondary to these disorders. Service connection has not been established for anemia or right knee chondromalacia.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, low back condition, and major depressive disorder. However, these issues are remanded due to a duty to assist error regarding obtaining VA treatment records from Mayaguez Outpatient Clinic and other medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his peripheral neuropathy, lung condition, psychiatric disorder, and prostate problems.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional records, including SSA and Vet Center treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's psychiatric disability and its impact on her occupational and social functioning. The Veteran is also requested to provide any additional private medical records.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with major depressive disorder was denied in January 2007, and the effective date of service connection is set at November 15, 2011. The Veteran's appeal to increase his disability rating from 70% to a higher level has been denied.

The Veteran's PTSD, depressive disorder, and alcohol abuse are rated at 70 percent since March 15, 2019. The appeal is denied as the disability does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating, service connection for a back disability and depressive disorder are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.