Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD disability is currently rated at 100 percent from March 22, 2022. The claims for increased evaluations prior to that date are being remanded due to the need for a retrospective addendum opinion.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and cannabis use disorder are found to be service-connected.,An initial 10 percent disability evaluation is granted for the left inguinal hernia repair scar.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability has been remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion. The claims for depression and left lower extremity cellulitis and venous insufficiency have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to April 9, 2014. From April 9, 2014, the Veteran is in receipt of a combined disability rating of 100 percent, which moots any TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD, is granted. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Veteran's anxiety and depression are related to her in-service personal assault. The Board finds service connection for these conditions is granted. However, the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to either her in-service personal assault or her now service-connected psychiatric disability. Therefore, a remand is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of her sleep apnea.

Your appeal for service connection has been dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of your appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus has been granted. The right hip disorder, bilateral eye disorder, gynecological disorder (claimed as hysterectomy and loss of sex drive), and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) claims are all pending and need further review.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was denied. The appeals for increased ratings and service connection claims were remanded due to lack of recent VA examinations and potential loss of use of limbs.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need to obtain SSA records related to her disability benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right hip and lumbar spine conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since October 28, 2015. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU are met.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent since October 28, 2020. Prior to this date, he was granted a 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor event, and for further development related to his TDIU claim.

The Board has denied service connection for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) due to lack of a current diagnosis. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability and an acquired psychiatric disability due to inadequate medical opinions based on inaccurate factual premises. The Veteran is required to undergo further VA examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating higher than 20 percent for his right foot condition is dismissed. The request to reopen the claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability is granted, and the issues of service connection for left shoulder, cervical spine, bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (acquired psychiatric disability), and right knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is related to his service. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected mental disabilities, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, respiratory disability (chronic sore throat and sinusitis), right knee disability, left knee disability, PTSD, and depression due to inadequate VA examination reports.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development. The issues include a spine disability, bilateral leg numbness as secondary to a spine disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression).