Depression Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of VA examination for psychiatric disorders, and the need for additional evidence. The Veteran's service records show he had depression following an in-service accident, and post-service medical records indicate current diagnoses of anxiety disorder and depressive disorder.

The appeals for various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for bursitis and arthralgia of multiple joints, CFS, mild obstructive airflow disease, and an acquired psychiatric disorder for purposes of eligibility for treatment under 38 U.S.C. § 1702 due to his withdrawal at a hearing. Service connection was granted for a lumbar spine disorder, rash of the shoulders and armpits, migraines, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression). The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his back disability, as well as his claim for a cervical spine disability. The reasons include needing additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions, and obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, as well as increased ratings for bilateral knee degenerative joint disease. Additional development is needed to obtain Social Security Administration records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression) due to failure to respond to VA examination notifications.

The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to major depression, granted a rating of 100% for major depression, and remanded the issues of effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a personality disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, and PTSD has been reopened. Service connection is granted for sinusitis but the claims for sleep apnea, cancer (right carotid body tumor), and left elbow disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder, has caused significant occupational and social impairment. The Board granted a TDIU due to the service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for syncope, but denied an extraschedular rating and TDIU. The Veteran's disability picture is analogous to narcolepsy or minor seizures occurring at least twice every six months on average.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss of use of a hand or foot, permanent impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip. Therefore, the claim for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety and PTSD; and for hypertension. The VA examinations are required to address these issues.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's depression is not service-connected as secondary to his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and has ordered a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's persistent depressive disorder. The claims of secondary service connection for sleep disorder, GERD, hiatal hernia, IBS, and ED are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The remaining issues are related to back injury residuals, COPD, erectile dysfunction, chloracne, skin cancer, and neuropathies of the hands and extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease, pes planus, and onychomycosis, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the claim for Total Disability Rating due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and for an effective date prior to September 19, 1996 for the grant of service connection for stable angina.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his chronic leg pain, right leg impairment, right knee disability, right foot disability, and right hip muscle strain. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking the condition to active duty service. The decision also noted that depression was not related to service, but may be aggravated by a service-connected condition (coronary artery disease).