Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as total social impairment has not been demonstrated.,Prior to August 7, 2015, the Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent. The Board found that very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks were not shown prior to this date.,Since August 7, 2015, the Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating under DC 8100.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including unspecified depressive disorder and adjustment disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that her current mental health issues were related to her active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected persistent depressive disorder with persistent major depressive episode and history of alcohol use disorder was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms, while significant, did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and adjustment disorder, have been reopened. The claim of service connection for a low back disorder has also been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

For the entire period on appeal, a rating of 70 percent for PTSD has been granted.

The claims for hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, but service connection is denied.,Service connection for a dental condition as secondary to tonsillar head and neck cancer (claimed as respiratory cancer) has not been established.

The Veteran is currently employed in a suitable, management-level stable government position and has overcome any impairment of employment to which his service-connected disabilities have substantially contributed. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for additional VR&E benefits or re-entry into the program.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder prior to January 1, 2021 was granted a disability rating of 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 28, 2010 for the award of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder with secondary depression is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal for the initial rating of major depressive disorder prior to August 10, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea and psychiatric conditions, including PTSD. The Veteran is being asked to undergo further examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's initial rating for major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as there are conflicting reports of her employment status.

The Veteran's service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is denied. The initial rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder prior to January 24, 2017 is granted and the higher rating from that date onwards is denied. The effective dates for service connection are set at April 16, 2012, and February 26, 2015 respectively.

The Board has granted service connection for depression and anxiety, but denied service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD and major depressive disorder are based on stressors that VA could not verify.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for further development of evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, other than PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder, and for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction due to potential outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches, back injury, neck injury, right hip injury, left ankle injury, ulcers, heart problems, kidney failure, head trauma, and seizures have been granted. The appeals are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with major depression was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, as the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is denied because he has only one service-connected disability (lung cancer) rated at 100% and no other disabilities. The evidence does not support his contention that he is unemployable due to mental health issues.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a rating of 70% effective February 1, 2016. The initial rating for nerve damage status post extraction of tooth #17 remains at 10%. Both ratings are effective from the date of claim.