Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bunions, psychiatric disorders, and other disabilities, have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of any of these conditions or a link to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder, depression, PTSD, and a right knee disability have been reopened. The appeal of these issues is granted.,Service connection has also been granted for a chronic headache disability.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder have been rated at 50 percent since December 6, 2012. The Board has determined that the current rating is appropriate based on symptoms such as difficulty understanding complex commands, impairment of short-term memory, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulties in establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss increased rating claim is remanded to obtain relevant treatment records and provide a new examination.,The Veteran's right fifth finger disability claim requires clarification due to the lack of an opinion on the etiology of his symptoms.,A VA examination is necessary for the left upper, right upper, and left lower extremities to determine if any current complaints are related to service.,The Veteran's psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression) claim requires a new examination and opinion due to inconsistencies in his reports and lack of support from STRs.,The Veteran's gastroesophageal disability (GERD), lumbar spine disability, and shifted pelvis claims require the retrieval of relevant VA treatment records and clarification on sources of treatment for these disabilities.,,

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service connection for depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder has been granted. The case is remanded for further development regarding total disability rating based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right hip disability and depressive disorder have been granted service connection, with a 50% rating for the right hip disability effective November 12, 2018.

The Board has granted the applications to reopen the claims of service connection for left foot condition and posttraumatic stress disorder. The issues are remanded due to incomplete records, including those from SSA and Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The Board also granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but remanded the issue of increased rating for service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has decided to remand several issues, including the extraschedular evaluation for residuals of vertebral fracture, increased rating for major depressive disorder, and ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The TDIU issue is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inextricably intertwined issue (entitlement to service connection for congestive heart failure) and will address whether service connection is warranted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, however diagnosed, as secondary to ischemic heart disease.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination and for further development. The Veteran is seeking service connection for schizophrenia and depression, but no medical opinion was provided regarding the relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information on whether the Veteran's major depressive disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus and PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional retrospective medical opinions regarding the severity of his service-connected psychotic disorder from January 1979 to October 1993, and for TDIU prior to October 26, 1993.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for a hearing or conference, and no specific service connection decisions have been made.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for several conditions, including lumbar spine strain, traumatic brain injury, major depressive disorder with unspecified neurocognitive disorder, and left lumbar radiculopathy. The Board dismissed these appeals as a result.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for developmental sickle beta thalassemia (claimed as sickle cell anemia) due to new and material evidence. The claims for PTSD, depression NOS, and alcohol dependence are remanded for further development. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability and a TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran requested to withdraw their appeal for a temporary total disability evaluation due to hospitalization in excess of 21 days for service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and psychotic disorder as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.