Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's PTSD and its relationship to service, as well as whether her psychiatric disorders are related to her service-connected heart condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disabilities, specifically PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder. The case is being sent back for further examination and verification of in-service stressors.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as service-connected, likely due to his multiple service-connected disabilities.,Right hand, left ankle, right knee, and bilateral shin disabilities are denied as not being related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment prior to May 1, 2014. The Board granted a 70 percent rating for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The case is referred to VA’s Director of Compensation and Pension Services for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's left thumb scar is granted service connection. The lumbar spine, bilateral foot, and ulcerative colitis conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion. The depression and insomnia issues are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for further medical examinations and evaluations, particularly regarding his psychiatric conditions, hearing loss, vertigo, low back disorder, and fungal infection of the toes. The Board will provide a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case because there is insufficient evidence to determine whether the Veteran's depressive neurosis is secondary to his service-connected migraines or if it began during service. The examiner will need to provide a more detailed opinion on these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The examiner is asked to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a disability evaluation of 70 percent, effective June 14, 2016. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also granted beginning on the same date.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of major depressive disorder was withdrawn. Service connection for right and left ear hearing loss, left knee chondromalacia, skin disability, spondylosis of the back, and sleep apnea were granted. The Veteran's appeals for head injury residuals (right and left shoulders), right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed hip, knee, psychiatric, and low back disabilities. The appeals are also remanded for a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disability is secondary to service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim for service connection for depression was denied. The Board granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a VA examination and additional development of the record, including obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD due to MST, depression and anxiety, residuals of left knee chipped patella, and right knee condition are all granted as service connected.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for unspecified anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder is granted at a 70 percent level, but no higher. The appeal regarding PTSD, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, left knee strain, and TDIU remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder strain and right shoulder strain. Service connection for major depressive disorder is remanded due to insufficient reasoning in the previous VA opinion.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for accrued benefits in excess of $11,989.00 as there was no legal basis to grant this benefit and the appellant is not the surviving spouse eligible for a month-of-death check.