Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with social anxiety to include traumatic brain injury with memory loss is currently rated at 50 percent prior to June 18, 2020 and denied for a higher rating since that date.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Bipolar Disorder is granted. Claims for Personality Disorder, Depressive Disorder, Headaches, Sleep Apnea, and Hypertension are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive and anxiety disorder has been granted a 100% rating from October 18, 2012 to January 15, 2018. The decision also grants TDIU and SMC benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, has been reopened. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional VA treatment records and conduct a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected disabilities and his diagnosed mental health condition.

The Veteran's asthma was not related to service, as there is no evidence of a diagnosis or treatment for asthma during service and the condition resolved prior to her separation examination. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability due to an in-service injury or event.,The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a current diagnosis of PTSD, as she was unable to provide details about any specific stressor events during service that would support a PTSD diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and migraine headaches are related to his military service, particularly due to stressors experienced during active duty. As such, the claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for depression is denied, while her claim for a higher initial evaluation prior to November 24, 2014, for depression is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding the severity of her disability.

The Board has determined that there was incomplete development of the claim and requires a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 7, 2002 for the assignment of a 100 percent rating for service-connected major depression with psychotic features and panic disorder without agoraphobia. The increase in disability became ascertainable prior to this date.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depression are granted a 100 percent rating, effective from the date of her claim. The issue of finding TDIU is dismissed as moot due to the already assigned 100 percent rating for PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability and has remanded his claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, CVA residuals, and prostate disorder due to insufficient evidence or conflicting diagnoses.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye disability has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and anxiety.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has remanded it for further development and examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The remand requires additional opinions from VA examiners to address the etiology of these conditions, particularly regarding hypertension and its relation to diabetes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance of another person due to the functional limitations, including inability to prepare meals, manage finances, and perform necessary hygiene tasks.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent from January 7, 2008. He also received a TDIU based on PTSD and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected depressive disorder is being remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected disabilities of major depressive disorder, asthma and gastro-esophageal reflux disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of verification for the Veteran's in-service stressor and an incomplete examination, which may affect the determination of service connection for his psychiatric disorders.