Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded three issues: PTSD with major depression, dementia, and alcohol abuse; post laminectomy syndrome, status post lumbar laminectomy and diskectomy; and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. The Veteran needs to provide updated treatment records and undergo VA examinations for his psychiatric disorder and spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and entitlement to a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete service records and the need for further medical examinations. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disorder, a bilateral foot disorder, a right inguinal hernia, diverticulitis, and hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations on tinea pedis and post-surgical scarring have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn his appeals.,The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations on bilateral hallux valgus to include on an extraschedular basis have been remanded due to possible worsening of symptoms since the last VA examination in April 2012.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for headaches, including as secondary to service-connected tinnitus, has been remanded. The examiner is asked to determine if the Veteran’s headaches are related to his service-connected tinnitus and whether they have been aggravated by it.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) has been remanded. The examiner is asked to determine if the Veteran experienced military sexual trauma during service and if he currently suffers from PTSD or any other psychiatric disability as a result of that stressor.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU has been remanded due to possible worsening of symptoms since the last VA examination in April 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease has been granted, along with service connection for fibromyalgia, acquired psychiatric disability (mood disorder and unspecified depressive disorder), bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, irritable bowel syndrome, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity arthropathy, left lower extremity arthropathy, and chronic pain.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is remanded due to the grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence to determine a rating in excess of 50 percent for depression prior to November 15, 2016. The issues regarding effective dates for SMC, TDIU, and DEA are also remanded as they may be impacted by the outcome of the rating issue.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board has determined that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent disabling, and the Board has granted a remand for further adjudication of his TDIU claim. The initial rating decision grants an increased rating to 70 percent for depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a neuropsychiatric disorder other than depressive disorder and a chronic disability manifested by respiratory symptoms due to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multisymptom illness have been denied as the evidence does not support these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD with TBI are rated at 70% effective October 31, 2016. He also received separate ratings for headaches and vertigo due to TBI. The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's anxiety and depression are related to his service in Vietnam, including combat duties. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, as he is currently employed in a supervisory position.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined issues of service connection and increased ratings. The claims will be readjudicated after any necessary development.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the cases of right knee injury, pilonidal cysts, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The Veteran's claims are now pending again.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for depression, lumbar spine disorder, left ankle disorder, numbness of the feet, bilateral knee disorders, and bilateral hip disorders have been reopened. The appeals are granted to these extents only.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder due to additional evidence being needed, including medical articles and lay statements.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that his current psychiatric disorder is not related to his military service and does not meet the criteria for secondary or aggravation service connection.

The Veteran's right hand fifth metacarpal disability was denied a compensable rating, but service connection for low back and left knee disabilities were granted.,Service connection for sleep disorder to include insomnia, depression, and anxiety disorder was also granted.