Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD and service connection for sleep apnea, as these issues are inextricably intertwined. The Veteran is not entitled to a separate rating for his sleep apnea due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities and their relationship to his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 16, 2015 for the assignment of a 30 percent disability rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and arthritis was dismissed. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with major depression disorder was granted with an effective date set at October 1, 1997.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the regular aid and attendance of another person, and the Board has granted special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches are found to be related to his current acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression. The claim for right eye vision disorder is granted as new and material evidence has been submitted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, alcohol dependence, migraine headaches, and vertigo, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of 80% for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, as secondary to the service-connected right knee disability. The issue of a TDIU was dismissed due to the grant of TDIU effective from February 12, 2015.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, mood depressive disorder, erectile dysfunction, asthma, and bilateral leg cramps due to new and material evidence. The claims are remanded for further development including obtaining VA treatment records, arranging for medical examinations, and determining the etiology of each condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for dementia, bilateral hearing loss, and depression has been remanded due to the withdrawal of the dementia claim by the Veteran. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and depression are being reviewed.

The Veteran's service-connected persistent depressive disorder has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's reported stressors and to obtain an addendum opinion regarding his acquired psychiatric disorder. The case will be returned for these actions.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of frostbite of the feet was denied, but reopened due to new and material evidence. The gastrointestinal disability including constipation with hemorrhoids is now granted.,The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) were both reopened and granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety as there was no evidence to support that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that her condition did not clearly and unmistakably pre-exist service. The evidence also does not support a finding of direct service connection due to lack of clear medical causation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his employment status over the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety, depression, and insomnia is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision.,The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, tension headaches, and migraine headaches with aura are found to have begun during service.,The Veteran's depressive disorder and mood disorder with major depressive-like episodes are found to be caused by his now service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and a left chest injury, have prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since February 1, 2013. The Board has granted the TDIU claim based on this finding.

The Board has granted service connection for psychiatric disability, right ankle sprain, and hepatitis C. The matter of service connection for cirrhosis is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for right knee post traumatic arthritis and lateral meniscus tear with patellofemoral syndrome is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD prior to August 5, 2019 is denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating prior to March 19, 2018.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent rating for PTSD is denied because the increase in disability did not occur within one year of receipt of his most recent increased rating claim.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is granted as he stopped working due to PTSD on January 22, 2018.,The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance is granted.