Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, anorexia nervosa, and major depressive disorder have resulted in total occupational and social impairment throughout the appeal period. The Board has granted a 100% disability rating for these conditions as of March 25, 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for major depressive disorder and TDIU due to service-connected disability. The decision is pending further development of her medical records and a new examination.

The Board denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders not including PTSD and denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of in-service stressors.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for depression, finding that the Veteran's claim was not based on new and relevant service department records. The earliest possible effective date is March 17, 2005.

Service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's claim of a higher rating for depressive disorder prior to November 23, 2021, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter is remanded.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be aggravated by his service-connected major depressive disorder with sleep impairment, and thus service connection is granted for this condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, right foot fracture, and headaches have been granted service connection. The claims for pyoderma (scabies) and face lacerations were denied as there is no current diagnosis or in-service event supporting these conditions.

The Veteran's depression was granted a 70 percent rating prior to March 27, 2014. The Board also found that the Veteran is entitled to TDIU based on his service-connected depression and other disabilities.

The Board has found that the Veteran's chronic fatigue disorder and major depressive disorder are not related to service or a service-connected disability. The claim for a chronic pain disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD, MDD, and unspecified neurocognitive disorder as a residual of TBI with a history of secondary alcohol use disorder results in total occupational and social impairment. The appeal is denied for an increased disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent prior to April 19, 2021, and increased to 50 percent thereafter. The Veteran also received a compensable rating for his right hand fracture. TDIU was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. A new VA examination is needed to address the onset and etiology of these conditions as well as any potential aggravation by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to November 2, 2009, for the grant of service connection for PTSD with major depression was denied as there were no relevant official service department records in December 2009 that could have affected the original denial and the award of service connection was not based on these records.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for depression, as secondary to the service-connected disabilities due to conflicting evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, diagnosed as Major Depressive Disorder, based on credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors and a link between the current disabilities and those events.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including MDD and PTSD, resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent from June 14, 2016, to May 29, 2018, for MDD and PTSD.

The appeal for service connection of depression has been dismissed. The appeals for service connection of headaches, low back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability are all remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded for further evaluation due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder are granted as service-connected, with no specific exposure basis provided.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as his rating and TDIU claims. The issues of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea have also been remanded.