Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's ocular hypertension is granted as attributable to active service. The initial rating for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and the TDIU due to PTSD are both remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's employment history prior to April 19, 2019. The AOJ is instructed to obtain updated VA Form 21-8940 and W-2 forms from the Veteran, as well as completed VA Form 21-4192s from any employers listed on the form. Additionally, the AOJ must request verification of the Veteran's personal income during the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder with MDD and an anxiety disorder, as well as secondary service connection for insomnia. Service connection for a headache disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of September 30, 2010 for a 100% rating for PTSD with depression is denied. The Board found that the March 2015 decision was not appealed and thus no NOD was filed within one year of receipt.

The appeal for a higher rating for TBI-related conditions and the awards of service connection for migraine headaches and Bell's Palsy secondary to TBI are dismissed. The effective dates for these awards cannot be earlier than August 27, 2012 due to finality of prior decisions. A TDIU is denied as there were no pre-August 27, 2012 service-connected disabilities. An effective date prior to August 27, 2012 for DEA benefits is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of January 17, 2013. The Board has remanded the issues regarding his character of discharge and service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder and eye condition due to potential legal or factual complexities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a psychiatric disorder, characterized as anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, and a chronic skin condition, characterized as seasonal dermatitis, are granted. The claim for heart disorder to include ischemic heart disease is remanded due to lack of VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depression. The examiner will assess whether these conditions are related to service or any incident of service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent prior to August 6, 2019. From March 24, 2016, the Veteran's sinusitis is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his claims.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is granted. The issue of reopening the claim of service connection for PTSD is remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no service connection was granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% from January 14, 2016 to June 13, 2018. A higher rating for PTSD beyond this period and entitlement to SMC are denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is granted as service connected. The Board found that the evidence supports a finding that his current condition was caused or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen her claim for service connection for depression and insomnia is granted. The Board has also remanded the issue of whether service connection should be established due to new evidence received since the last denial.

The Veteran's PTSD with insomnia and major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The Veteran also meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder was denied as the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for PTSD was denied because the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran has PTSD related to service.,Asperger's Syndrome was denied due to lack of evidence supporting its presence during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than major depressive disorder was denied as there is no evidence linking such condition to service.,The Veteran's claim for a pain disorder was also denied, with the Board finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, a personality disorder, and a depressive disorder. The underlying claim of entitlement to service connection remains remanded due to additional evidence submitted since the last denial.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder including unspecified major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for these conditions based on VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depression, is now pending.