Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including major depression, is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities are remanded.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating prior to April 20, 2015 based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendering him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include major depressive disorder, and for a higher rating for PTSD has been denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was set at August 13, 2007, with a 10 percent rating assigned. A later 30 percent rating was granted on March 28, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee strain, anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, and lumbar spine DDD due to lack of a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's right knee strain is secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine DDD. The TDIU claim prior to July 30, 2015, remains part of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation at the aid and attendance or housebound rate, eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing, and eligibility for a special home adaptation grant due to conflicting evidence of record regarding her service-connected disabilities' impact on her ability to perform activities of daily living.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU are remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression are currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected Raynaud’s syndrome. The decision gives the Veteran the benefit of doubt and finds that his depression is related to his Raynaud’s syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to potential issues with obtaining medical records, determining the nature of his conditions, and assessing their relationship to military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several knee and spine disabilities, as well as his PTSD and depressive disorder have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of a higher rating for persistent depressive disorder prior to October 28, 2016, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter for persistent depressive disorder and PTSD; a higher rating for lumbar spine chronic muscular strain superimposed on degenerative instability; and entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as the VA examiner did not provide sufficient information regarding the combined effect of his multiple service-connected conditions on his ability to work.

The Veteran's service connection for GERD was granted. The appeal for increased ratings on several scars and other issues were denied, with some issues being remanded.

The Veteran's depressive disorder prior to July 13, 2011 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board granted a 70 percent rating for this period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (throat cancer and major depressive disorder) have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left shin splints, depressive disorder, sleep apnea, stroke residuals, and headache disability have been granted. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left hand disability, left little finger disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, bilateral foot disability, and acquired psychiatric disability. The appeals are pending due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The examiner is required to provide a new opinion on the etiology of any diagnosed condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected back disability and PTSD, as well as the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and Vertigo were denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for Sleep Apnea was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be so severe that they prevent her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and a TDIU is granted.