Depression Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression and bipolar disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain additional information regarding a possible in-service stressor related to PTSD and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted, as well as a 60% rating for eczema and psoriasis effective February 13, 2013. The claim for an earlier effective date for the PTSD with MDD rating has been denied.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety is not rated higher than 70 percent, and the Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent. The Veteran was granted total disability rating for individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and gastrointestinal disorder are all granted as service-connected. The claims for fibromyalgia and memory loss have been remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than February 26, 2004 for awards of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility for education benefits under Chapter 35 (DEA). The Veteran was found to have been employed in substantially gainful employment prior to that date.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD with depression and memory loss was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to her service-connected fibromyalgia and muscle tension headaches. The Veteran's TDIU claim from February 24, 2012 to 2015 was denied due to her current employment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and PTSD with depression are not service-connected, and his TDIU is denied as the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities does not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The examiner is required to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service and if they were superimposed upon her personality disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and treatment records, requiring a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a compensably disabling condition within one year of separation from active duty.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression was also denied due to lack of evidence of a disability during the year following separation and current evidence not related to service. ,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for dermatitis was denied as there is no evidence that at least 5% of his body or exposed areas are affected by the condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including depression, and for alcohol dependency as secondary to a service-connected disability. The VA must make further attempts to obtain medical records from Charter Hospital of Santa Theresa during the Veteran’s active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but has remanded them due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted, subject to the laws that govern the payment of monetary benefits. The claim for increased evaluations and service connection are all remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, sleep disability, skin disability, and depression due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's right knee condition, emphysema, benign neoplasm (claimed as spot on lung), and psychiatric condition (depression) are not related to his military service.,Further development is needed for the claims of service connection for a left big toe condition to include arthritis, a right big toe condition to include arthritis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The Board has decided that the VA examination is inadequate and remands the case for further action, including scheduling a new examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are causally related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating greater than 70 percent for major depressive disorder was denied. The claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability was also denied.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and remands for further action, including obtaining new medical opinions. The claims of entitlement to increased ratings for right-sided chronic pyriformis syndrome and major depressive disorder with anxious features remain pending.