Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for psychiatric disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, and right shoulder disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their onset and etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination to address direct and secondary service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD. The issues of whether the condition is related to service or service-connected disabilities are also being addressed.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to military sexual trauma (MST), finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to this in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Appellant was insane at the time of his discharge, which is a prerequisite for lifting the bar on VA benefits.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is granted with an effective date of January 31, 2017. The decision also corrects a clear and unmistakable error by granting service connection for major depression with a 70% initial rating effective January 31, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss disability and acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety, and unspecified depressive disorder due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of service connection (October 26, 2007), and his TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error and remand the case for further action.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder with anxious features (claimed as PTSD), is found to be due to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with bunionectomy and right and left ankle arthritis. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was denied due to the absence of an in-service event, but readjudicated after new and relevant evidence (the husband's statement) was submitted. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of depression.,Service connection for generalized anxiety disorder is granted as it had its onset during active service, specifically related to witnessing a shooting incident.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, due to military sexual trauma (MST) incurred during active duty. The Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Alcohol Use Disorder have been considered in this decision.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for major depressive disorder due to a lack of a VA examination, as there is evidence indicating a current disability and an in-service event or injury that may be associated with it. The Veteran reported experiencing racism during service which could potentially link his depression.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors and insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and SSA records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder, PTSD, and major depression due to incomplete records and inadequate VA examination. The AOJ is required to obtain missing private treatment records from Dr. J.B.R. and provide a new VA examination.

The Veteran's ambulance transport to Greenleaf Center for treatment of homicidal ideation was approved by VA and deemed necessary due to the severity of her condition. The Board found that all conditions for payment under 38 C.F.R. § 17.1002 were met, thus granting the claim.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of January 25, 2019 for various service connection and increased rating claims. The Veteran's original claim was filed through his local Veterans Service Officer (VSO) on January 25, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions, particularly those related to toxic exposures in Southwest Asia.

The Board has decided that service connection for PTSD is denied, and the claims of service connection for back impairment, left wrist impairment, right wrist impairment, and sleep impairment other than major depressive disorder with insomnia disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to errors in the initial decision-making process, including failing to request a VA Form 21-8940 for TDIU and not obtaining SSA income records. The employment status of the Veteran is also relevant to his disability ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder due to infertility and colon cancer with major depressive-like episode associated with infertility, effective from August 26, 2014. The Veteran's claim was filed on that date, and the effective date is based on her prior service-connected conditions.