Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his pinched nerve in the neck, as well as for increased ratings and TDIU. The Veteran is required to undergo further examinations and provide additional evidence addressing the combined impact of service-connected disabilities on work capacity.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations related to cervical spine, low back, left hip, and psychiatric disabilities are inadequate for decision-making purposes. The Veteran must be provided with addendum opinions addressing whether his current conditions are secondary to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, are being reviewed due to lack of VA examination opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the hands and knees have been denied. His claim for major depressive disorder secondary to his service-connected chronic fatigue syndrome has been granted, but he is still seeking an increased rating for his chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Board denied service connection for GERD and major depression, recurrent, with anxiety features as the evidence did not establish a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent disabling for major depressive disorder prior to April 10, 2012 and an effective date prior to April 10, 2012 for the evaluation of 100 percent disabling. The appeal is also remanded for consideration of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 10, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent for the entire appeal period, subject to controlling regulations governing the payment of monetary awards. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including paranoid schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and polysubstance abuse. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional records and arrange for an addendum opinion from a mental health professional.

The Board has remanded the claim due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including paranoid schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and polysubstance abuse. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional records and arrange for an addendum opinion from a mental health professional.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Depression have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability has been granted due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for myasthenia gravis is remanded as additional VA medical opinion is needed regarding its onset and relationship to his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Depression, is remanded as a new VA examination is required to determine the nature of these disorders and their relationship to service or other factors.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine with radiculitis, is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess its current severity.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for inguinal hernia is remanded as additional VA treatment records are needed.,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for prostate cancer residuals (including incontinence) are remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of recent medical evidence.

The Veteran's TBI and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) have been granted service connection. His headache disorder and right trigeminal neuralgia are not rated higher than the current 30% assigned, as there is no evidence of very frequent prostrating attacks or severe incomplete paralysis.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examination and records, particularly regarding PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board has granted service connection for back disability, tinnitus, and depressive disorder. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum under DC 5276. The Veteran’s skin condition (tinea pedis and onychomycosis) does not meet a compensable rating criteria. The Veteran's hallux valgus of both feet are assigned zero percent disability ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, major depressive disorder, epilepsy, and TBI due to radiation exposure. The claims will be further developed with new examinations and verification of service-related exposures.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted. However, the claims for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders were denied as there is no evidence of a credible in-service stressor for PTSD and the diagnoses are linked to alcohol dependence.

The Board has decided that a psychiatric disability, including as secondary to service-connected disabilities, should be remanded due to insufficient evidence and the need for an in-person examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reported experiences in service and her current psychiatric disabilities are related, granting service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder is not service-connected, and his right inguinal hernia scar conditions do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.