Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including shoulder, elbow, hand, back, foot, groin, and upper/lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as depression. The appeals are being returned to VA for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot because her service-connected PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder has been rated at 100% since April 15, 2013. As she now receives the maximum special monthly compensation available for her disabilities, and her remaining service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for TDIU, her claim is dismissed.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's PTSD with secondary depression warrants a rating in excess of 30 percent from December 8, 2010, to August 29, 2016, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephrolithiasis, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity are being remanded as there is no current diagnosis in the record.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic nephrolithiasis is being remanded as there is no current diagnosis in the record.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is being remanded as there is no current diagnosis in the record.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction associated with residuals of prostate adenocarcinoma is being remanded due to outstanding VA records from his wife and need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of prostate adenocarcinoma, evaluated as 20 percent disabling is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to March 13, 2012 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy for the right upper extremity is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy for the left upper extremity is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded as there are outstanding records from his wife and need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder associated with residuals of prostate adenocarcinoma is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and review of recent hospitalization records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded as there are no current audiometric findings in the record.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension (high blood pressure) is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of his medication.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD has been denied.,The TDIU case is being remanded to determine the appropriate effective date.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the period prior to September 25, 2018. For the period from September 25, 2018, a higher rating in excess of 70 percent is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including depression (claimed as PTSD), left knee patellar femoral syndrome, and left ankle tenosynovitis, were denied earlier effective dates.,Claims for service connection for lumbar strain and tinnitus were also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent since November 23, 2007. The Board finds that the effects from her psychiatric symptoms meet criteria for a 100 percent rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder (MDD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), due to aggravation by exposure to chemicals during military service. The issue of service connection for epilepsy is remanded for further examination. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes was denied due to lack of evidence. The appeal to reopen the claim for service connection for diabetes is denied as no new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder remains rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and lack of evidence. The Veteran is asked to provide additional information about his theories of entitlement.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder. The Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his military sexual trauma during basic training.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were not processed under the Fully Developed Claim (FDC) Program due to administrative reasons.,The Veteran’s gastroenteritis with IBS is assigned a maximum rating of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to outstanding service treatment records, need for VA examinations, and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including obtaining federal employment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety and panic disorders was granted a 70% rating from January 12, 2015 to February 20, 2017. A 100% rating was granted since February 21, 2017. The Veteran also received a TDIU (Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability) effective January 12, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, is being reviewed.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, which began in October 2010 and included intrusive recollections, nightmares, anxiety, and avoidance behaviors, resulted in a 70% rating for PTSD effective from that date. The decision also granted an effective date of October 8, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, a trauma and stressor related disorder, and associated depression is granted.,Service connection for GERD secondary to service-connected mental disabilities is granted.,Service connection for hemorrhoids secondary to service-connected GERD is granted.,Heart disability and polyps are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and insomnia. The evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions are related to his military service.