Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD and a higher initial rating for tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The claim of service connection for melanoma is denied. The claim of service connection for an eye/vision disability, prostate disability, diabetes mellitus, migraines, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies, thyroid disability, acquired psychiatric disability (including posttraumatic stress disorder and depression), and sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 1, 2015 for the grant of service connection for depressive disorder is denied as there was no prior unadjudicated/pending formal or informal claim before that date.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Board also remanded the issues of right shoulder, hip, and lower extremity disabilities for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for his service-connected depression with sleep disorders and nightmares is remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a new examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, thus granting a TDIU prior to July 6, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. A new VA examination is required to determine if any diagnosed conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating of mental disabilities, as well as TDIU. The AOJ is instructed to ensure that the Veteran attends a VA examination to assess his current severity of service-connected mental disabilities and any sleep disorder, distinguishing between symptoms related to military service and those related to post-service events.

Service connection for hepatitis C and dysthymic disorder (claimed as depression) is granted. Service connection for hypertension is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to insufficient evidence from previous VA examinations. The Veteran will need new evaluations and treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for depressive disorder, bilateral hip disorder secondary to service-connected disabilities, a rating higher than 20 percent for left foot plantar fasciitis, and TDIU are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The lumbar spine disability claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder were denied due to lack of current diagnoses. The Board has ordered a remanded with instructions to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination using DSM-V criteria, verify his claimed stressors, and determine if he meets the criteria for PTSD or other psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus service connection is denied.,Service connection for a back disability and headaches is denied as the evidence does not establish that these conditions were incurred during active service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral spine with L5-S1 radiculopathy are granted service connection. The rating for the back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, psychiatric disability (depression and alcohol abuse disorder), headaches, hypertension, and diabetes have been granted. The diagnoses of depression and alcohol abuse disorder are linked to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for other specified depressive disorder with other specified anxiety disorder was denied as the symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating.,Service connection for renal insufficiency was denied because there is no evidence of current renal dysfunction and the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of renal insufficiency.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of 70% for major depressive disorder is granted. The case is remanded to determine if hypertension should be service connected and whether it is aggravated by the major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of whether his May 2012 Notice of Disagreement was timely filed.