Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's head injury residuals, including chronic headaches, were found to warrant a 50% rating as of April 18, 2009. Prior to this date, the Veteran was granted a TDIU effective September 1, 2012.,Effective April 18, 2009, and prior to April 24, 2015, the Veteran's head injury residuals were found to be very frequent and completely prostrating, producing severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence that was added after the September 2022 Supplemental Statement of the Case. The Veteran's representative did not address this new evidence in their argument, and a new SSOC must be prepared before the Board can make a decision.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, as well as a claim for TDIU due to CFS. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with new evidence and possibly another examination.

The Veteran's neurocognitive disorder with mixed anxiety and depressive features, claimed as depression, insomnia, and anxiety, is granted as secondary to his service-connected TBI.,His unspecified personality disorder, claimed as schizoid personality, is denied due to misdiagnosis during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a liver condition and an acquired psychiatric disability have been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as a depressive disorder secondary to the now-service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The claims of service connection for sinusitis, headache disorder, allergic rhinitis, type II diabetes mellitus, polymyositis and inflammatory myopathy, back disability, and anxiety disorder are being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, postoperative residuals meniscectomy of the left knee with arthritis, lumbar spondylosis, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee, precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, specifically regarding the lack of private hospital records from October 12-19, 2020. The TDIU claim is also being remanded for clarification of employment history.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified anxiety disorder, PTSD, unspecified insomnia disorder, depression, and adjustment disorder) on a direct basis. The Veteran's mental health disability is found to be at least as likely as not caused by his service. However, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development due to inconsistencies in his self-report of mental health issues and stressors. The case will be reviewed again after all necessary steps are taken.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected hearing loss. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not result in an inability to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to April 27, 2022. The Board found the Veteran's statements regarding his employment history lacking credibility.

The Veteran's spouse, D.C., is the caregiver and has been assessed for personal care services needs. The Veteran currently requires assistance with activities of daily living such as dressing, grooming, toileting, and mobility. However, the claim was remanded due to a lack of completed caregiver training within 90 days from the application date.

The Board has denied a rating greater than 50 percent for the Veteran's major depressive disorder, finding that her symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for such a higher rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including depression, migraine headaches without aura, left shoulder bursitis, right ankle sprain, knee pain disorders, fungal infections of the feet, cervical spine strain, and chronic ankle sprain. The Veteran requires assistance with bathing, dressing, using the bathroom, putting on his ankle brace, and protecting himself from hazards due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression and anxiety, was denied as the evidence did not show that VA treatment caused his condition.,The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for TBI, gastrointestinal disability (IBS), right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, bilateral lower extremity disability, bilateral upper extremity disability, and back disability are all REMANDED due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder with anxiety. The claim is based on the Veteran's credible account of symptoms since service during his combat service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and corroborating alleged stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, PTSD, bipolar disorder and anxiety. The VA is required to obtain additional medical records and conduct a new examination to determine if the Veteran's current mental health conditions are related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.