Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for shin splints, tendinitis of the left ankle, residuals of a head injury, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety) due to incomplete service treatment records from his second period of active duty. The VA must obtain these records and provide the Veteran with appropriate examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and consideration of the Veteran's lay statements. The claim will be reviewed again with a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and examination, including service connection claims for various psychiatric conditions, bilateral hip disability, joint pain, basal cell cancer residuals, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations is recognized.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, as she has maintained employment throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and back conditions, precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to July 9, 2018.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a personality disorder, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and PTSD. The Board found that there is no evidence to support these conditions as being related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, mood disorder NOS, major depressive disorder, and unspecified anxiety disorder, finding that there was no valid diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence linking any current psychiatric disorders to his military service.

Service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted. Service connection for other disabilities remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and MDD) was granted an initial rating of 100 percent effective November 16, 2017.,An increased rating for the Veteran's left knee disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection granted for major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks and chronic headaches. The Board finds in favor of the Veteran due to positive evidence outweighing negative evidence.,Right wrist disability service connection granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service and post-service treatment records supporting this claim.,Bilateral knee conditions and low back disability service connection remanded as additional evidence is needed.,Bilateral foot disability service connection granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the addition of new VA medical records and examinations. The case will be returned to the AOJ for review.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was granted a 70 percent rating prior to May 21, 2021.,A 100 percent rating for the condition is granted starting from May 21, 2021.

The Veteran's skin tissue salvage scar is not compensably rated, and his TDIU claim prior to August 8, 2023 is granted. His TDIU from August 8, 2023 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of SMC based on housebound criteria.

The Veteran's tinnitus, adjustment disorder, bilateral foot neuropathy, vestibular disorder, and erectile dysfunction are all remanded for further development due to alleged fault on the part of VA in providing care. The claims are reopened based on new evidence.

The Veteran's claim of reopening a service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is granted, and the case is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a 100% disability rating for PTSD with MDD and OCD was denied, while the claim for TDIU due to service-connected PTSD with MDD and OCD alone from January 2023 was granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected panic disorder with MDD is denied. The effective date of the current 70 percent rating remains November 26, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of the Veteran's in-service stressor and a need for additional VA medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete verification of the Veteran's service in Iran. The Veteran is still seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder disability, PTSD, major depressive disorder, and diabetes mellitus type 2 are denied. The Board has remanded the claims of PTSD, major depressive disorder, and diabetes mellitus type 2.