Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claim of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for hypertension, which is now considered secondary to service-connected MDD with PTSD, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, and/or migraines. The Veteran's hypertension claim is inextricably intertwined with his pending claims for service connection for back disorder and headaches.

The Board denied service connection for depression and a spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support an in-service onset or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was granted an initial rating of 100 percent effective May 13, 2021.,A 70 percent rating for the Veteran's depressive disorder from May 29, 2012 to May 12, 2021 is granted.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective February 28, 2018. The Board has now determined that an earlier effective date of August 12, 2013 is warranted for the grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD with depression is granted, while the claim for a higher rating remains on appeal. The appeals for rhinosinusitis and eczema are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and Depression, finding that the appellant's conditions are related to an in-service personal assault.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to new evidence linking his major depressive disorder to his death. The Board granted service connection, assigning a 100% rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding direct service connection and secondary service connection.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder with anxious features is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is not sufficient to reflect the severity of her symptoms.

The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD with alcohol and cocaine abuse disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, and insomnia disorder prior to February 26, 2020, excluding the period of June 11, 2018, to October 31, 2018.,The Veteran is granted entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition and tinnitus, but has remanded the remaining issues due to lack of updated treatment records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD, a neck disorder, and headaches. The Board found that there was no confirmed diagnosis of PTSD during the pendency of the appeal and that any current symptoms were not related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, finding no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his active military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of decision. The Board also granted TDIU based on service-connected disabilities prior to June 7, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is caused or aggravated by his service-connected asthma, sinusitis and unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, right and left knee disorders, bilateral hearing loss, and a psychiatric disorder. The case is being returned to VA for further development.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected bronchial asthma and/or major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of current hearing loss.,The Veteran's appendectomy scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA regulations.,The Veteran's TBI, PTSD, and related conditions are remanded due to missing service treatment records.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and thoracic/lumbar spine arthritis, cervical spine disability, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and psychiatric disorder are all remanded for further development.,The Veteran's right foot disability, left foot disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability are also remanded due to missing service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding in-service stressors and sexual abuse allegations. The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and adjustment disorder with depressed mood, are being reviewed again.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further development. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and dysthymic disorder, are being reviewed.