Depression Board decisions

The Board has determined that the remand instructions were not substantially complied with, and thus the case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD with anxiety, is not related to service due to lack of verified in-service stressors.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and remanded the issues of initial rating for mixed anxiety depressive disorder and TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the claims of service connection for right knee and hip disabilities, as well as a higher rating for major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, residuals from a bilateral foot surgery, and left leg nerve damage are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. Additional VA examinations are needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from February 10, 2004, to November 24, 2020, was denied as his service-connected depressive disorder alone did not meet the criteria for an extraschedular TDIU under VA regulations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including adjustment disorder and depression, has been granted a rating of 70 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records. The issue of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis will also be referred to the Director, Compensation Service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression associated with adenocarcinoma of prostate is dismissed as the issue has been resolved in his favor.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anxiety, and Depression. The Veteran's reported stressors are consistent with his service, and he was diagnosed with PTSD by a VA psychiatrist and a private psychologist.

The Board has remanded the cases for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including their relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are granted. His obstructive sleep apnea is also granted as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric conditions. Right knee degenerative arthritis, right knee strain, and right knee meniscal tear are all granted. Left knee degenerative arthritis and left knee strain are granted. Low back disabilities are granted. The Veteran's lateral collateral ligament sprain of the left ankle is granted as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. His bilateral plantar fasciitis rating from December 3, 2019, is increased to 50%.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and alcohol abuse, effective from April 20, 2011.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran not appearing for a VA examination and failure to provide information about medical providers. The case will be returned for further development, including scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's mental health disability, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder, was found to have been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas prior to January 31, 2019. The VA has granted a 70 percent evaluation for this period.

The claim for service connection for PTSD and depression/dysthymic disorder is reopened, but further development is needed as the July 2017 VA examination did not address all diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and/or depression, are remanded due to the lack of current evidence of a diagnosed condition. The Board requests further development to obtain relevant in-service records and non-VA treatment records from specific counties.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his service-connected psychiatric disorder, which includes insomnia disorder, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, was denied. The rating prior to September 17, 2016, is denied.,From September 17, 2016, the Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected psychiatric disability was also denied.

Service connection is granted for eczema, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder), erectile dysfunction as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder, lateral collateral ligament sprain of the left ankle, medial epicondylitis of the right elbow, rotator cuff tear of the left shoulder, and patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee.,The claims for service connection for residuals of Lyme's disease or related infectious disease and a TBI or other impairment of the brain as a result of a motor vehicle accident (MVA) are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety and depression, finding no evidence of an in-service disease or injury related to these conditions.