Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for burn scars of the left leg and groin is granted. The case is remanded for further examination to determine if additional disabling effects warrant a separate compensable rating, and for new examinations to assess the severity of his PTSD with major depressive disorder and mild neurocognitive disorder, as well as TBI residuals.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with a previous remand directive regarding the psychiatric claim. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including persistent depressive disorder, is being reviewed again for service connection.

The Veteran's DDD of the thoracic spine, right hip bursitis and osteoarthritis, left hip condition, hernia residuals, and MDD and other specified anxiety disorder are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to sleep apnea, and a rating of 70% is granted for the period beginning February 3, 2021.

The Veteran's appeals for Traumatic Brain Injury and TDIU were dismissed due to the Veteran requesting to withdraw his appeal.,The remaining issues of service connection for various disabilities, including a right knee disability, low back disability, gastric disorder, neck disability, and right upper extremity radiculopathy are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified bipolar disorder and cannabis use disorder (also claimed as anxiety and depression) is granted. The issue of an initial increased rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee residuals of Osgood Schlatter's disease is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and lumbar spondylosis with facet arthropathy, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service symptoms. Service connection was also granted for major depressive disorder with somatic symptom disorder.,Service connection for a back disability is granted as it is found to be secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder, is at least as likely as not related to service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to June 9, 2021 due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression was previously denied in an April 2001 rating decision. The claim has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, further records development is needed before a final determination can be made.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD has been granted a 70 percent rating effective November 3, 2015. The evidence shows difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances and other symptoms consistent with a 70 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of heart condition, MDD, and DM as secondary to nonservice-connected hypertension. The rating for hypertension was granted at a 10% level.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, finding that there is no causal relationship between his current mental health condition and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic code. The Board denied entitlement to a higher disability rating for PTSD with depression and also denied entitlement to TDIU prior to March 20, 2013.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Additional records are needed to determine the nature and etiology of bilateral hearing loss, back condition, sciatica condition, left hip condition, and acquired psychiatric condition (anxiety and depression).,VA examinations are required for a comprehensive evaluation of the Veteran's claims.

The Board dismissed all the claims as they are related to a deceased Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder was denied. The Board found that the disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 70 percent due to occupational and social impairment, but not total. Other service connection claims were remanded.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at BSWMC from September 24, 2016 to November 2, 2016 was denied as the non-VA facility did not notify VA and attempt a transfer to a VA facility after the emergency treatment ended.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no competent evidence of a currently diagnosed condition related to his military service or superimposed on his personality disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his service-connected knee disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition.