Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination, including a psychiatric evaluation to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, an updated examination for his service-connected coccyx fracture, and consideration of whether an extraschedular rating is warranted for mixed headaches with vascular and muscle contraction components.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for further evaluation of his conditions, particularly regarding his TBI and radiculopathy.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are being remanded for further evaluation due to worsening symptoms and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for sleep apnea was dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of rating lumbar strain, left leg disability (stress fracture), anxiety and depression, and TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and urinary incontinence, have rendered him unable to secure or follow any substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that his conditions preclude him from engaging in such employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his lumbar spine disability, as he does not have loss of use of one or more lower extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and insomnia).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to assess her breast cancer and depressive disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, scheduling a psychiatric examination, and providing opinions on service connection and aggravation of pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and mental illness for treatment purposes are remanded. The claim for increased rating of ischemic heart disease is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for psychiatric disability, including depression, posttraumatic stress disorder and anxiety, has been dismissed as the Veteran requested its withdrawal in a July 2017 correspondence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD and depression, as well as a low back disability. The Veteran needs to be provided with new examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have been rated at 70 percent since July 31, 2012. The Board found that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as there is no total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected GAD has been rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available for this condition. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, are not service-connected due to the lack of corroborated stressors and inadequate medical opinions. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The case is remanded for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, characterized as major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and social phobia, is rated at 70 percent since August 19, 2009. The Board denied a higher rating because the impairment did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and a sleep disorder, as well as bilateral hearing loss. Additional development is required to determine the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders of anxiety disorder and depressive disorder are related to active duty service, and a rating of 20 percent for thoracolumbar strain is granted.