Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examination reports and conflicting opinions. The issues include tinnitus, left knee disability, right knee disability, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity sciatica, right lower extremity sciatica, acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression), and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for depression and lumbar spine disability due to inadequate examinations in April 2012. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder NOS and major depressive disorder, is granted service connection. The issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for the residuals of TBI is remanded due to inextricability with the initial rating for the psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining updated treatment records and an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with other specified depressive disorder and his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable for the period prior to September 2011, as he participated in a non-paid work experience with SSA and had obtained a Bachelor’s degree. The Board denied entitlement to TDIU during this period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and depressive disorder with insomnia, as well as post-traumatic migraines, are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including depressive disorder, personality disorder, and PTSD. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Service connection for depressive disorder is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD related to a personal assault during her active duty for training (ADT) in July 1984 is granted. The Board also found sufficient evidence of other acquired psychiatric disorders, but these are not separately service connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination for service connection of acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and dysthymic disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding in-service stressors. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is now pending again, and the AOJ must verify his claimed stressors with appropriate records repositories.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, as the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's current conditions began during service or were related to any in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the entire appeal period, with symptoms including suicidal ideation and difficulty in establishing effective work and social relationships. The Veteran also received a 50 percent rating for migraines.

The Board has dismissed all appeals related to service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities, including OSA, knee disabilities, and psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's claims were denied as he did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other chronic acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has granted the reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has remanded the issue to obtain additional information and adjudicate the referred PTSD claim.

The Veteran is granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD from December 6, 2008. The appeal regarding a higher rating prior to January 21, 2016 is remanded due to insufficient discussion in the Board decision.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left foot amputation and service connection for end-stage renal disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression). The decision found that the Veteran's refusal to receive treatment was a significant factor in his condition.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records and to provide the Veteran with an examination to determine the nature and etiology of her acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's CAD, peripheral vascular disease, depressive disorder NOS, and right leg tendonitis are all granted as secondary to service-connected conditions. The arthritis and hip disabilities were denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis or continuity of symptoms.