Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder. After considering all evidence of record, the Board finds that there is a reasonable balance of evidence supporting the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with a depressive disorder, has been granted. The evidence showed that the Veteran experienced personal assault and military sexual trauma during service which led to current mental health issues.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates due to outstanding records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee strain and instability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appeal is moot due to his death. The Board lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to verify the Veteran's reported exposure and stressors, as well as to attempt to substantiate service connection claims.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD with major depressive disorder and anxious distress, is currently rated at 70 percent. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating or TDIU due to the service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for depressive disorder, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, or knee osteoarthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for persistent depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service. The claim was reopened due to new and material evidence submitted since the previous denial.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to additional evidence received since the October 2019 Board remand.

The Veteran is granted a 100 percent disability rating for her service-connected major depression with impulse control disorder, effective throughout the period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, kidney and urinary tract pain, and joint and muscle pain due to conflicting opinions and lack of adequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD and unspecified depression with anxious distress were granted a 50% disability evaluation prior to February 12, 2020. From February 12, 2020, the Veteran was granted a 70% disability evaluation for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 70 percent rating for depression, effective April 1, 2018, was granted. The appeal regarding entitlement to a higher rating for depression is also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including other specified schizophrenia and psychotic disorder, as his major depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety already covers these conditions. The maximum rating of 100% has been granted for the service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection. The Board has also remanded several other issues for further development and clarification of the evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are granted as a result of in-service combat stressors during his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's ED is granted as secondary to his service-connected low back disability, and the claim for OSA is remanded. The claims for higher ratings of depressive disorder, insomnia disorder, and low back disability are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disability was granted with an effective date set at April 20, 2014.