Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability of depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected back disability. Service connection for hypertension is denied. The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is granted a 50% rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for fibromyalgia and TDIU prior to March 17, 2017 is granted. The effective date of service connection for fibromyalgia remains August 14, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent has been denied. The Veteran was granted a TDIU from April 14, 2016.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided was inadequate and requires a new one to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including alcohol use disorder and depressive disorder due to chronic pain, is related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate for adjudication purposes due to a lack of discussion on whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition related to his service.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated lower extremity conditions render him housebound, meeting the criteria for SMC based on housebound status.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and he is now entitled to a rating of 60% for his heart disability. The issues regarding prostate disability and TDIU prior to December 3, 2014 are also resolved in his favor.

The Board denied the Veteran's applications to reopen claims for service connection for a lung condition, thoracolumbar spine degenerative changes with spondylosis (upper and lower back), a mental condition to include depression, and dental surgery due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD resulted in occupational and social impairment, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. A TDIU was granted as of April 10, 2018.

The Board has denied service connection for pseudo-seizures related to stress due to anxiety and panic attacks associated with major depressive disorder, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these symptoms and the Veteran's service-connected condition. The case is remanded for further review of the rating for major depressive disorder and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbosacral strain, leg limitation of flexion of right knee, cervical strain, and major depressive disorder as they were not found to be related to active service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's major depressive disorder is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The claim will be reviewed again with a new examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, including as due to a service-connected left knee disability; right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome; and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD (depression).

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence. The issues include colon cancer, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, anxiety, and PTSD), cysts in or on kidneys, and recurring rash.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a left wrist and/or hand disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety, memory loss, bipolar disorder, depression, attention deficit disorder), and hypertension. The Veteran's complete service treatment records must be obtained to determine if he had any active duty or training service that could affect his claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an incomplete examination and the need for a new opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The appeal on the issue of entitlement to service connection for residuals of head trauma is dismissed. The Veteran's headaches are granted as a current disability resulting from an in-service injury. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and/or PTSD, is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding its relationship to service. The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is remanded for further examination.