Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy and whether he suffers from loss of use in either hand or foot. The Veteran will need a new VA examination for these issues.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,PTSD and anxiety are denied as not service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss and major depressive disorder are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a lumbar spine disability, gastrointestinal disorder, headaches, sleep disorder, right foot numbness, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The VA is directed to obtain updated treatment records, verify periods of active duty, schedule examinations, and consider all relevant evidence in determining the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and evidence. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has determined that further examination and opinion are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and MDD.

The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on the issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, as the current VA examiner's opinion is inadequate. The Veteran contends that his sleep apnea is due or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, but the examiner did not consider these factors in their assessment.

The Veteran's claim for right ear hearing loss was reopened and granted. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder) is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining additional VA and private treatment records, scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his depressive disorder, and scheduling an appropriate VA examination in conjunction with his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion. The Board finds that a VA examination and medical opinion are necessary to determine the nature and etiology of any currently-diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected major depression is rated at 70% for the entirety of the appeal period. The Board also found that the Veteran does not meet criteria for a TDIU due to his current symptoms aligning with his existing disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's testimony and service records, requiring additional evidence and a new examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, PTSD with depressive disorder evaluation, and TDIU due to outstanding records and need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, service connection for a psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder), and TDIU due to non-compliance with prior remand directives. The case will be referred back to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for consideration of extraschedular evaluations.

The Board has dismissed the appeals due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a service connection for psychiatric disabilities is granted. The case is remanded for further development and an examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and back conditions, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of tinea pedis or an acquired psychiatric disorder during the appeal period. The claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's respiratory disability is granted as service-connected. The initial evaluation for his depressive disorder with obsessive-compulsive disorder remains at 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and anxiety has been granted a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about the Veteran's current psychiatric diagnoses and their relation to service. The Veteran needs a new examination to determine if he has PTSD or other acquired psychiatric conditions, and whether these are related to his military service.