Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain a substantially gainful occupation from October 20, 2009, to December 31, 2011, and from January 1, 2013, to October 1, 2019. The Board affords the Veteran the benefit of doubt in finding that his service-connected disabilities alone resulted in unemployability during these periods.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral pes planus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, anxiety, depression, right shoulder disability, and right wrist disability are remanded due to the submission of new evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims. The Board finds insufficient competent medical evidence to adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for his acquired psychiatric disorders and right shoulder and right wrist disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of this condition.,Service connection for depression is denied because there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or treatment related to the claimed disability.,The Veteran's claims for right hand and left knee disabilities are denied due to lack of diagnosed conditions.,Left hip disability claim is also denied as there is no current diagnosis.,New and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for spina bifida, thus the claim remains denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by total occupational and social impairment from March 30, 2012 to October 8, 2012. The Veteran is granted a disability evaluation of 100 percent for this period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical opinions and an unobtained VA audiology report. The Veteran's mental health conditions are being reviewed, and a new attempt will be made to obtain his hearing loss records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a sleep disorder is dismissed as the appellant withdrew his claims prior to the promulgation of a decision. The Board also remanded several other issues including service connection for bilateral foot disability, chronic fatigue, major depressive disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee strain with history of Baker's cyst and effusion, gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU), and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need of regular aid and attendance of another.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment effective April 22, 2023.

The Board granted service connection for adjustment disorder with depressed mood and insomnia secondary to psoriasis, effective from March 29, 2010. The Veteran's symptoms of stress were found to be related to his service-connected psoriasis.

The Board's January 4, 2024 decision did not address the Veteran's claim for a TDIU from June 9, 2017 through January 21, 2021. The case is now remanded to consider this issue.

The Veteran's migraines, which are secondary to her service-connected PTSD and/or tinnitus, have been granted. Her insomnia is considered a symptom of her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, is granted as service connected. The Board also found that the Veteran's sleep apnea (OSA), headache condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, right ankle condition, right shoulder condition, and lumbar spine condition are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded all claims due to errors in the July 2021 decision, including inadequate opinions and reliance on negative evidence from the Veteran's enlistment report of medical history. The Court found that further development is needed for these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran was granted service connection for other conditions such as Chiari malfunction with cervical syrinx, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, obstructive sleep apnea, right wrist disability (carpal tunnel syndrome), left wrist disability (carpal tunnel syndrome), and bilateral shoulder impingement syndrome and AC joint DJD. The Veteran's respiratory disorder remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety/depression, has been denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of such conditions.,The Veteran's prostate cancer with residuals voiding dysfunction and scar is currently rated at 60 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, IBS, and hypertension due to inadequate opinions in the prior VA examination. The case is returned for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and low back disability are granted service connection, while the Veteran is awarded a 50% rating for his migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a sinus disability, sinus headaches, and depression due to the failure to issue a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates due to new evidence submitted by the appellant. The VA treatment records from February 2019 to July 2021 have been added to the record, but automatic waiver does not apply to these records.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was dismissed because the Veteran did not file a notice of disagreement with the November 2023 rating decision. The Board also remanded the issue of a higher rating for her back condition.