Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's MDD resulted in total occupational and social impairment since June 23, 2009. The nystagmus rating is at the maximum schedular level of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to unclear etiology of the Veteran's symptoms and need for further examination. The Veteran is seeking a higher evaluation for his TBI with residual headaches and giddiness, but the nature and cause of other symptoms such as anxiety disorder and unspecified neurocognitive disorder are also under review.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100 percent schedular rating from April 23, 2014.,The appeal for TDIU prior to September 24, 2019 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer and major depressive disorder, are rated at a combined 70 percent. The Board finds that these conditions render the Veteran unable to maintain regular substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors and insufficient medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, specifically whether they are related to his service.

The Veteran's dysthymia is rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is appropriate given her symptoms of anxiety, depressed mood, some difficulty in stressful circumstances, avoidance of certain settings, and an exaggerated startle response. The disability does not more nearly approximate a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be provided with a new VA examination to assess her IBS and PTSD, as well as additional records from the NPRC for mental health treatment. The Veteran is also asked to provide any private psychiatric treatment records she may have.

The Board granted service connection for depression at a 100 percent rating, effective September 22, 2014. The Veteran was also awarded basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) and special monthly compensation for housebound criteria (SMC-HB), effective September 22, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder, and stimulant use disorder have been granted a 70 percent rating from September 21, 2020, effective date. The appeal was for higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and unaddressed psychiatric diagnoses. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if he has an acquired psychiatric disorder, its likely etiology, and whether it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the presence of other diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders, and a new examination is needed to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and additional development is needed.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and alcohol dependence in full remission is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder with unspecified sexual dysfunction and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but not more. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder and major depressive disorder are rated at 50% from February 2, 2005 to October 24, 2017. The Board has granted a grant of TDIU effective February 2, 2005.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (previously PTSD) and a lumbar disability. The cases are remanded to determine if these conditions are related to service or other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) addressing the issues of attorney fees and increased disability rating.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety is rated at 70 percent since February 21, 2018. Prior to this date, the rating was denied.