Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, as there was insufficient information provided by the RO when making the initial decision. The Veteran's employment prior to stopping work is also to be considered.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for PTSD (also claimed as manic depression) has been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for Meniere's disease as it is not secondary to service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran was granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to his PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a spinal disorder, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a respiratory disability. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative back disorder, major depressive disorder, tinnitus, and feet problems, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement for schedular TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and assistance, thus granting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder, lumbar strain, left knee strain and radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for PTSD with TBI and MDD, as well as right ankle disability. The Veteran needs additional VA examinations to determine the current severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing an opinion by a VA examiner regarding the relationship between his current obstructive sleep apnea and service. The initial rating for major depressive disorder remains granted at 70 percent effective August 29, 2012, and TDIU is granted effective July 1, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, insomnia and difficulty falling asleep/staying asleep, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any PTSD.

The Board finds the evidence insufficient to determine the cause of death and requires further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records since August 2015. The August 2017 VA medical opinion is deemed inadequate due to lack of knowledge about PTSD and heart disease link.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), to include on an extra-schedular basis, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder, are related to his military service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection, earlier effective dates, and increased ratings are remanded due to incomplete adjudication of his claims.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression and alcohol dependence is rated at 70 percent, but the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran also received a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Major Depressive Disorder, is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his claimed in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's neurobehavioral effects, including Parkinson's disease. The Veteran was exposed to water contaminants at Camp Lejeune during his service.

The Board has granted service connection for depression and anxiety, finding that these conditions are etiologically linked to in-service events. Service connection for PTSD based on MST was not established due to lack of verified stressor.