Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating is 50%, which does not meet the criteria for a schedular TDIU. The Board has referred the issue of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) to the Director, VA Compensation Service.

The Board has found that the previous examinations and opinions were inadequate, particularly regarding the relationship between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities and his other conditions. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of in-service stressors and a need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is also being evaluated for its potential impact on his psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and anxious distress is rated at 100 percent disabling as of August 4, 2022. The VA has remanded the issues regarding chest scar residuals for further review.

The Veteran's major depression was granted a 100% disability rating from March 30, 2015 to May 14, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened due to new and material evidence, but the appeals are still pending as some issues remain unresolved.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, sleep apnea, and PTSD with depressive disorder. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other appealed claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The right elbow disorder claim was not addressed as it did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified adjustment disorder and other specified depressive disorder, as there is no current diagnosis of such disorders.

The Veteran is seeking a higher disability rating for Parkinson's disease from September 11, 2002, to April 15, 2011. The Board finds the evidence insufficient to fully evaluate the severity of the residuals and needs additional information.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea, specifically whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected major depressive disorder and any related medications. The opinions must also address whether obesity, which may be related to his service-connected conditions, plays a role in the development of his sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions obtained in prior remands were inadequate and that new addendum opinions are necessary to address whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his service-connected head injury residuals, specifically as secondary to such residuals.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD with depressive disorder and unspecified neurocognitive disorder was denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his depressive disorder was denied, with the exception of a grant of a 70 percent rating from November 8, 2019 to September 27, 2020. The initial compensable rating for a lumbar scar spine and TDIU prior to June 29, 2020 were also granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and will need to verify the Veteran's Army Reserve duty periods and obtain any associated medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbar spine are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to service connection for major depressive disorder and a sleep disorder, including upper airway resistance syndrome.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder as secondary to her service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding VA treatment records from 1975, which need to be obtained from the Biloxi VAMC.