Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, and his depression is rated at 30 percent. The decision grants the increased rating for the right ankle disability but denies a higher rating for the depression.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder have been rated as 30 percent disabled prior to May 23, 2013, and as 50 percent disabled thereafter. The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have not worsened to warrant a higher initial disability rating of 70 percent prior to July 30, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, erectile dysfunction (ED) to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, and total disability rating based on unemployability (TDIU). The remand requires obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities and ED, as well as a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU, but the evidence is inadequate to determine whether she is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of her service-connected conditions. The case is remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate physician regarding the functional effects of her service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, anxiety and depression. The claims for duodenal ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and pneumonic lung scarring are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is secondary to his service-connected lower back disability, and thus grants the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran meets the DSM-5 criteria for PTSD and whether such diagnosis is related to his military service. The examiner should also provide opinions on the relationship of any other acquired psychiatric disorders to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain in-service hospital records and a VA addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The examiner is asked to reconcile conflicting medical evidence on PTSD diagnosis and determine if it is at least as likely as not related to service.

Service connection is granted for PTSD and MDD due to a personal assault in service. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and MDD, including Anxiety Disorder NOS, is remanded.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claim for service connection for back condition and denied service connection for depression. The Board also remanded the issues regarding left hand tremor and right hand tremor for further development.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and chronic depression, are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its remand directives and will again remand for further development, including obtaining a combined effects medical opinion to address the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right lower extremity disability, heart disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to presumed herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The appellant must be provided with VA medical opinions regarding these issues.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been remanded due to the need for a VA psychiatrist or psychologist to provide an opinion on whether his current diagnosis of PTSD is related to service. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder, including Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, has been granted.,Service connection for PTSD will be considered again after obtaining a medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and depression, are related to service. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and increased rating for retinopathy are remanded due to the need for further medical examination and verification of claimed stressors.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for major depression is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, but the issue of service connection for depression is remanded due to lack of authorization and need for an examination.