Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of alternative forms of evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability, right ankle disability, chronic parotitis with stones, status post left parotidectomy, left knee disability, and right knee disability has been reopened. The claims are granted as secondary to bilateral otosclerosis with impaired hearing, post-operative stapedectomies.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the RO due to incomplete service treatment records and need further examination.

Service connection is granted for sleep apnea, chronic renal disease/diabetic nephropathy, and depressive disorder.,Effective dates are denied for the grant of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower left extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the lower right extremity, cataracts, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran is granted service connection for Crohn’s disease and depressive disorder secondary to Crohn's disease.,The Veteran's osteopenia (bone condition) and small bowel resection are remanded as the evidence is insufficient to determine their relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of the Appellant's service dates and nature, including whether he had qualifying service in the National Guard. The claim will be further developed by verifying his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA) periods.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear evidence regarding whether the Veteran's spouse meets the requirements for spousal aid and attendance benefits. A VA examination is needed to determine this.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is being remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee and residuals of right knee patellectomy are being remanded. The previous denial of these claims remains in effect.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, depression, and mood disorder, has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claim is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and secondary service connection for alcohol use disorder, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his service-connected diabetes or military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder and major depressive disorder with psychotic features (depression), is granted as secondary to his service-connected shoulder disability. The Veteran's substance use disorder is also granted as secondary to depression. Service connection for a bilateral foot disability and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's right foot planter fasciitis, degenerative joint disease of the right foot, obstructive sleep apnea, liver disability (fatty liver disease), and psychiatric disability (major depressive disorder) have all been granted service connection. The Veteran also has a left foot disability that is service-connected.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate reasons and basis for denying service connection, failure to obtain potential of outstanding private treatment records from Methodist Healthcare, and failure to consider entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric condition other than PTSD. The Veteran's representative indicates that the private treatment records are no longer available, and they have requested a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depression and alcoholism. A new VA examination is required to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's depression may have started during service, but more information is needed to determine if it was related to her military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disabilities preexisted service and are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, a depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder. The claim for eligibility to treatment under 38 U.S.C. 1702 is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the service connection claim.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder (NOS) are rated at 50 percent, effective May 24, 2010. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms that have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings of left shoulder, right shoulder, and major depressive and anxiety disorders before the Board could make a decision.