Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional VA evidence, specifically surgical records from May 2021. The appeal will be reconsidered after these records are added to the claims file.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and tinnitus, as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of adequate nexus opinions. The Veteran's timeline of drug and alcohol use is inconsistent with his account in service records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of service connection for PTSD is denied. The Board found that the January 2007 rating decision was final and did not provide adequate reasons and bases as to whether VA treatment records generated between January 2007 and January 2008 constituted new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claims for further development, including obtaining a VA opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities and their impact on employment. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified depressive disorder) is not related to service, but due to a lack of awareness of the Veteran's attempts to get mental health treatment after service, an addendum opinion is needed.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with depressive disorder is granted an initial 50 percent disability rating from September 12, 2011 to November 13, 2017 and a 70 percent disability rating from November 14, 2017 onwards.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders. The case will be returned for further development, including a new psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and evaluations. The additional evidence from VA will be reviewed by the AOJ.

The Veteran's mood swings and depression are found to be related to his service-connected PTSD.,Tinnitus is found to have started during active service due to exposure to loud noise.

The Board has partially granted a 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder, but the Veteran's symptoms may warrant a higher evaluation. The VA must obtain and consider additional private treatment records related to his back and radiculopathy issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran submitted a timely substantive appeal for his claims of service connection for headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, osteoporosis, and depression. The issues are now remanded for further development.

The Board has denied a higher rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have not more closely approximated total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and PTSD) due to insufficient evidence on record.

The Veteran's appeals for a 100 percent rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder, a 50 percent rating for migraine headaches, and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate have all been granted effective June 17, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of PTSD was granted to 70 percent effective February 9, 2018. The issue of unemployability due to service-connected disability prior to April 3, 2018 remains in appellate status.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as federal retirement records.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was granted a disability rating of 70 percent prior to October 31, 2019. The Board also found that the Veteran is entitled to TDIU based on her service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated private and VA treatment records, as well as additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability. The focus is on whether his condition had an onset in service or is otherwise related to service, was caused by a service-connected disability, or was aggravated beyond its natural progression.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The Veteran's current psychiatric condition is being evaluated again with a focus on whether his service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his mental health issues.

The Board has remanded several claims related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including TBI and prostate cancer. The issues include seeking higher ratings for these conditions as well as determining whether he is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to September 26, 2014.