Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings are being remanded as the most recent VA examinations do not provide sufficient information to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions. He needs new examinations to accurately assess the extent and severity of his headaches, depressive disorder, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with arthritis.

The Veteran's MDD and headaches have been rated based on their severity, with some issues granted and others denied. The rating for MDD remains at 50% prior to August 19, 2022, but is denied for a higher rating after that date. Headaches are rated as 30% from August 7, 2019 to September 17, 2022, and denied for a higher rating starting from September 17, 2022.

The Veteran's claims for depression, memory loss, and social anxiety are denied as there is no evidence of a separate psychiatric disorder from his service-connected PTSD.,The claim for an undiagnosed illness (claimed as Gulf War syndrome) is denied due to lack of objective indications of a chronic disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of major depression is remanded due to the need for additional in-service hospital records from Fort Ord Hospital.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and stimulant use disorder was granted with an effective date of August 1, 2013.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and medical opinions are needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions, as well as whether his sleep apnea is related to toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs) during service. The claims for higher evaluations and service connection are being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting a new VA examination. The issues of rating higher than 30 percent for PTSD and TDIU are also being remanded due to their interrelation with the PTSD issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was denied, but his request to reopen the claim was granted. Service connection for benign prostate hypertrophy and an acquired psychiatric disability (depression and anxiety) secondary to service-connected neck and right arm disabilities were both granted. The claim for hypertension is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to January 21, 2014 is being remanded due to the pending issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for unspecified depressive disorder prior to May 8, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for plantar warts, an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder and anxiety), and bilateral hearing loss. The decision found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for plantar warts and concluded that there was not sufficient evidence to establish a link between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 31, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD with anxious distress, as well as IBS secondary to service-connected PTSD, have been granted.,Service connection has been established for PTSD and MDD with anxious distress due to direct evidence of a nexus between the conditions and service. Service connection for IBS is based on its secondary relationship to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU prior to February 3, 2021, has been withdrawn.,An initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder from January 31, 2011, to February 2, 2021, is granted. The Board also remanded the issues regarding lumbar strain, left shoulder strain, and mild equinovalgus deformity of the left ankle.,The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder from January 31, 2011, to February 2, 2021, is remanded. The Board also remanded the issues regarding lumbar strain, left shoulder strain, and mild equinovalgus deformity of the left ankle.,The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar strain is remanded. The Board also remanded the issue regarding left shoulder strain and mild equinovalgus deformity of the left ankle.,The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for mild equinovalgus deformity of the left ankle is remanded. The Board also remanded the issues regarding lumbar strain, left shoulder strain, and mild equinovalgus deformity of the left ankle.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and information.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, bilateral knee disability, chronic pancreatitis, back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression).

The Board has granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the nature and likely cause of any psychiatric disability diagnosed during the appeal period. The Veteran's anxiety began during his deployment, with symptoms exacerbated after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for joint pain and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient examination findings and lack of clear reasoning in the November 2017 VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of eye disability, cyst removal, and head injury have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for thyroid condition, endometriosis, and depression.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.