Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he died during their pendency.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder and panic attacks, are rated at 50 percent. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they did not cause deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to outstanding records from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The issues of increased evaluation for service-connected MDD and TDIU are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction.

The Veteran's claims for depression, anxiety disorder, and insomnia are denied as they are considered symptoms of his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran is granted a rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD from January 8, 2016 to November 15, 2016, but the claim for a higher rating since then is denied. A TDIU is also granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and TDIU due to outstanding private treatment records needing review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for persistent depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, hepatitis C, HIV, abdomen tumor residuals, and vertigo have been granted. The case is remanded for further examination regarding the abdomen tumor and vertigo.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his depressive disorder and right ankle strain, render him unemployable. The Board finds that the criteria for a Total Disability Rating due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) have been met.

For the period prior to April 24, 2013, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent disabling.,For the period from April 24, 2013 to May 20, 2018, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The Board found that the evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right foot disability, headache disability, chest pain disability, and psychiatric disability due to conflicting VA opinions and inadequate examination reports. The Veteran's lay statements will be considered in determining the onset of each condition.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for service connection for major depressive disorder (also claimed as generalized anxiety disorder/general mood disorder due to MST) before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and his bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU prior to July 2, 2018 are all inextricably intertwined.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and various diagnosed psychiatric disability for further development due to insufficient opinions in the June 2018 remand.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's headaches are related to her service-connected conditions, including her recently granted allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective November 30, 2020. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a left elbow disability and increased rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's depression is being considered as secondary to his service-connected right midfoot degenerative joint disease with pes planus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee instability, and a scar on his right knee due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the existence of these conditions and the need for further development.