Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as schizophrenia and depression, is being remanded due to the need for a more thorough discussion of his in-service symptoms and their relation to his current condition.

The Veteran's claims for TMJ disorder, bilateral knee arthralgias, and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) have been granted. The issues of right shoulder disorder, cervicalgia, and thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for a higher rating for low back syndrome and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, as well as the initial rating for depressive disorder. Additionally, service connection for diabetes is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure a complete record and to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused and aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea. The restoration of the 30 percent disability rating for left knee degenerative changes is granted, as are separate ratings for painful limitation of extension of both knees and symptomatic semilunar cartilage removal of the left knee.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inextricably intertwined issues and insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicides. The Veteran is also being asked to provide more information about his alleged exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected post-traumatic arthritis of the right knee is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of right knee lateral meniscectomy, to include a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to July 1, 2018, and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter, is remanded. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.,The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is granted an initial rating of 70 percent, but not higher. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's PTSD and its relationship to his military service. A new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran meets the DSM-IV criteria for PTSD, and whether it is at least as likely as not that any acquired psychiatric disability had its onset during service or is otherwise related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, as there are conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is reopened, and the appeal to this extent is allowed. Service connection for PTSD, including major depressive disorder and panic disorder, is granted.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was reopened and granted. The claims for evaluations in excess of 10% for left knee medial collateral ligament laxity, right knee medial collateral ligament laxity, and left knee Osgood Schlatter's disease with infrapatellar tendonitis and osteomyelitis prior to June 2017 were denied.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and major depressive disorder are granted service connection. Service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has remanded both issues due to lack of VA examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depressive disorder, are granted as they are found to be related to her military service.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for service connection and increase in rating are granted, but the issue of TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Major Depressive Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury, effectively precluded substantially gainful employment from October 16, 2001 to August 31, 2003. From September 1, 2003 to February 5, 2013, the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for depression associated with ulcerative colitis and an earlier effective date for TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete service records, uncorroborated in-service stressors, and a need for VA examinations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as it is directly related to his service-connected disabilities.