Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating was not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety and depression have been rated as 50 percent disabling, the minimum required for a higher rating. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need for further medical evaluation. The issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran not reporting for a scheduled videoconference hearing and issues with communication regarding his current address. The claims will be reconsidered after these matters are resolved.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of other diagnosed mental disorders.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of service connection for a skin rash and left ankle disability prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders, including those related to the Veteran's service. The case will be returned to the AOJ for this purpose.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disability, including asbestosis and mesothelioma was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for mesothelioma, low back disability, bilateral hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and depression.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private and VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and anxiety caused total occupational and social impairment, warranting a rating of 100 percent for the periods September 18, 2009 to May 25, 2011 and July 1, 2011 to September 12, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened and granted. The Board found that the Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD, related to fear of hostile military activity during his service in Korea, and thus meets the criteria for service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(3).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Board videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection and rating for various conditions are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional service personnel records and VA medical opinions regarding his claims for asthma, cold urticaria, pharyngitis, eating disorder, depression, and sleep apnea.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for the residuals of a laceration of the right third finger is held in abeyance pending adjudication of his claim of entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the right hand. The issues are inextricably intertwined.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, cold urticaria (claimed as a skin condition), pharyngitis, and depression are remanded to obtain VA medical opinions regarding their etiology.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an eating disorder is remanded to obtain VA medical opinions regarding its etiology. The issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the claim for service connection for an eating disorder.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is not service-connected, and the Board finds that it was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. The TDIU claim will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, stemming from military sexual trauma is remanded due to the need for VCAA notice and a VA examination. The case will be returned to the Board for further review.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and providing a supplemental opinion from an examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's depression.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and cannabis dependence with alcohol abuse, does not result in occupational and social impairment that warrants a rating higher than 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for thoracic spinal stenosis with myelopathy has been denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or etiology.