Depression Board decisions

The Board has denied service connection for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, finding no evidence of these conditions during the appeal period.,Service connection is also denied for an acquired psychiatric disability (also claimed as anxiety and depression), a muscle disability to include as due to an unspecified undiagnosed illness, and a left leg condition. The Veteran's claims are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left arm scar prior to January 20, 2014 have been dismissed. The appeal for an increased rating for PTSD prior to January 20, 2014 is remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The TDIU issue is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, is related to military sexual trauma (MST) and granted service connection. His Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is not separately service connected but will be considered in the evaluation of his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of August 29, 2011. However, the Board found that the earliest date of claim should be December 28, 2007, and thus changed the effective date to this earlier date.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to his non-service connected disabilities.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, should be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, but remanded the issue of a respiratory disability. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with the respiratory disability issue.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain was granted an increased rating to 30 percent effective August 28, 2016.,For the period prior to August 28, 2016, the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder strain is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder other than major depressive disorder, to include PTSD, needs further examination and evaluation. The case is being sent back to VA for a more complete medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple conditions, including jungle rot, gout, sleep apnea, hypertension, cholecystectomy residuals, ulcerative colitis, end stage renal disease, dermatitis, diabetes mellitus type II, and depressive disorder. The Board found insufficient evidence to establish current diagnoses or a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's back disability, major depression, anxiety disorder, and sleep disorders are not service-connected. Osteoarthritis is also not service-connected. Bursitis is unclear if it existed during the appeal period.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be etiologically related to his period of active service.,The Veteran's depression is found to have originated during his active service.,There is no current diagnosis of soft-tissue sarcoma, and the claim is denied.,There is no current diagnosis of cataract surgery, and the claim is denied.,Cholesterol is not considered a disease or disability under VA law and regulations, and the claim for service connection for dyslipidemia (claimed as cholesterol) is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not result in total occupational and social impairment, but they cause significant impairments in work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board denied an initial rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD. However, the Veteran was granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities precluding him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was withdrawn. His right ankle condition is granted as service-connected, but the lumbosacral spine DDD with mild disc bulge at L4-L5 and L5 S1 does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

Service connection for a bilateral foot condition, to include pes planus is granted. Entitlement to an initial evaluation of 10 percent disabling for status post small bowel obstruction is also granted. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, to include depression and PTSD, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder (excluding PTSD), was denied. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD and for a higher evaluation for his left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder was granted an earlier effective date of October 1, 2012 for a rating increase to 70 percent.,The claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of pseudofolliculitis barbae and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded due to insufficient evidence or need for additional examination.