Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to inextricably intertwined issues and additional development is required. The appeal for increased ratings related to larynx, hypothyroidism, headaches, and ischemic heart disease remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied, but her claim for recurrent major depressive disorder/depression is granted. The case is also remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to non-compliance with prior remand directives. The issues include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, prostate condition, and increased rating for a skin disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle condition and tinnitus have been reopened, but the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) remain unresolved.,A new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's right knee condition has worsened since his last evaluation.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include a mid-thigh amputation of the right leg, depression, various scars, tendon injuries, and neurological conditions. The decision is effective as of the date of the rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of December 3, 2018, for a 100% rating for Major Depressive Disorder was denied as the medical evidence did not support total occupational and social impairment prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disability (depression), and gynecological disability (miscarriage residuals).

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including MDD, PTSD and GAD; tinnitus; TDIU; and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus. The AOJ is instructed to consider all relevant VA and private treatment records in the claims file and obtain any outstanding records as requested by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder and anxiety disorder began during his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other diagnoses. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that these disorders are related to service.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for left ankle disability prior to October 25, 2016 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter. The reasons are unclear from the record regarding whether the Veteran experiences flare-ups and the extent of additional functional impairment during any such flare-ups.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for depressive disorder due to chronic pain syndrome has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms, which were consistent with a 50% disability rating under DC 9434. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also remanded as it is related to his depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, psychosis and psychosocial circumstance, is remanded due to the need for further development regarding his in-service stressors and specific dates of ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA. The Board also notes that a VA examination is necessary to determine if he has any current psychiatric disorders and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU was dismissed. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD from September 10, 2013 to December 31, 2014.,For the period from January 1, 2015 to August 29, 2016, the Veteran was granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD. The Board found that this level of impairment met the criteria for a 70 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, anger management, and adjustment disorder. The Veteran's low back and right shoulder disabilities may be related to his current acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims for depression, generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD with sleep disorder and memory loss, and bilateral hearing loss are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea. The cases are now remanded for further development.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 28, 2012 for the award of a 70 percent rating for panic disorder and major depressive disorder. The Veteran's symptoms had increased in severity to meet the criteria for this rating at the February 28, 2012 VA examination.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to have been incurred in service, as the evidence does not rebut the presumption of soundness at entry and shows that it first manifested during his active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability, increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and major depressive disorder have all been denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.