Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and depressive disorder are related to his active service, and he is granted service connection for these conditions. His tinnitus is also found to be related to service, but his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a VA disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for major depressive disorder. The issue of service connection for headaches is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for persistent depressive disorder with major depressive episodes and secondary service connection for sleep apnea due to an acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service counseling sessions, current diagnoses, and medical opinions linking his conditions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are not related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for major depressive disorder and right knee disability due to new evidence being associated with the claims file.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include major depressive disorder, dysthymia, and adjustment disorder is denied. The Board found that all of the Veteran’s mental health disability impairments are considered under the current rating for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder of a depressive disorder, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Veteran's MDD with anxiety was denied a higher rating prior to June 11, 2020 due to the severity of her symptoms not meeting the criteria for a 50% rating.,Since June 11, 2020, her MDD with anxiety has been remanded as well.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to a duty to assist error in the November 2018 rating decision. The Veteran's depressive disorder is being reviewed again, along with his PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as a non-specified trauma and stressor disorder including anxiety, depression, and panic attacks, is found to be related to active duty service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, requiring a VA examination to determine if any of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric conditions are related to his active service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and PTSD with major depressive disorder as well as the TDIU claim due to potential errors in the decision-making process.

The Board has found that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression and anxiety. The case is therefore remanded for further readjudication on the merits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, a psychiatric disability including anxiety disorder, depression, PTSD, and drug and alcohol abuse as secondary to a psychiatric disability are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The Board will seek an addendum opinion from the June 2018 VA examiner or another appropriate psychologist or psychiatrist.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and MDD, but remanded the issues of service connection for a bilateral knee disability and low back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims regarding recognition of statements as timely NODs and entitlement to attorney fees, finding that the statements were not filed within 60 days of the July 10, 2017 decision.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted as service-connected.,Service connection is denied for the Veteran's left shoulder disorder and right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's headache disorder, psychiatric disorder (including depressive disorder due to another medical condition and unspecified anxiety), obstructive sleep apnea, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, and skin disorder are all granted. However, the Veteran's service connection claims for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, a right ankle disorder, and a skin disorder remain denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of his claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities can be classified as residuals of organic disease or injury, which could affect his eligibility for SAH.