Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations, particularly regarding her migraines, depression, vertigo, and low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining verification of in-service stressors and medical opinions regarding the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for depressive disorder was granted, and he is currently receiving a 30 percent disability rating. The Board has determined that the current rating of 30 percent adequately reflects his symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of a verified in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and drug and alcohol abuse, is denied as he was not on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty for training at the time of a reported stressor. Without the requisite period of service, there is no legal basis upon which the claim may be granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for VA treatment records, SSA records, and a new opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claim.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified personality disorder and major depressive disorder have been rated at 70 percent since June 10, 2016. Prior to that date, he was granted a TDIU based on his disability but not an increased rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance at a higher level of care, finding that he did not meet the criteria for anatomical loss or use of extremities as defined by 38 C.F.R. § 3.350(f).

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU has been remanded due to the inextricability of issues with SMC eligibility. The Board will consider entitlement on an extra-schedular basis under special provisions and may also address SMC if applicable.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosed disability of right upper extremity radiculopathy.,The Veteran has been granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including depression and PTSD, but the condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and opinions regarding his hearing loss, psychiatric disorders, left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and TDIU claim.

The Veteran's heart disability is currently rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Board finds that his current METs level of 3-5 does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 7005 or 7017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, are related to his military service and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of service connection for depression was withdrawn. The claim for an increased evaluation for coronary artery disease with sick sinus syndrome status post pacemaker placement and scar, prior to April 11, 2011, is denied as there is no evidence of chronic congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction less than 30 percent. The claim for an increased evaluation since April 11, 2011 (excluding the period from May 11, 2015 to August 1, 2015) is denied as there is no evidence of chronic congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction less than 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for increased PTSD and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new examination and consideration of alternative sources of evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, are found to be related to his military service.,Service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no evidence of a confirmed stressor.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected depression and/or medication.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and sleep disturbance is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination. The examiner will be asked to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to his service.

The Veteran's service connection for headaches, right knee scar, MDD, chronic cervical strain, DJD of the right knee post-repaired ACL and meniscal injury, chronic right ankle strain, and right foot pes planus, plantar fasciitis and callus of the great toe have been granted. The Veteran is currently assigned a 10% evaluation for his right knee scar.