Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent, but no higher. Additionally, the Veteran was granted a TDIU from October 6, 2003 to January 29, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder with other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder was granted, effective December 12, 2018. The Board determined that the date of receipt of the initial claim on November 21, 2013, is the earliest effective date.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining VA treatment records and SPRs. The Veteran's depressive disorder will be evaluated to determine if it is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine and sleep apnea conditions, are found to be causally related to his psychiatric disorder. Effective dates for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy have been granted.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for PTSD with depressive disorder is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for PTSD. The appeals to reopen service connection for sinusitis with headaches, allergic rhinitis, and anemia were granted. Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety).

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed as PTSD, major depressive disorder, mood disorder, bipolar II disorder, anxiety disorder, and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, based on the Veteran's reported military sexual trauma during her active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened, but the Board finds that there is no evidence to support a grant of service connection.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis remains denied as his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for dysthymic disorder and not otherwise specified depressive disorder has been remanded due to the addition of new evidence.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are granted with a 10% rating prior to April 16, 2019. Ratings for the right wrist, left ankle, left ear hearing loss, costochondritis-mid sternal (chest pain), and unspecified depressive disorder remain denied.,Service connection for heartburn and gastrointestinal disability is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee condition, nervous condition (claimed as chronic schizophrenia and chronic depression), back condition, and cervical condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, finding no credible evidence of the claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, verify the alleged stressor, and provide a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, as well as bilateral hearing loss. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disability during the appeal period and that the Veteran did not have evidence of noise exposure related to his military service that could cause his hearing loss.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine and right ankle/heel disabilities.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the upper extremities is denied due to lack of evidence.,Insomnia, claimed as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability, is dismissed as it is considered a symptom of the Veteran's depressive disorder.,The Veteran’s claim for increased rating and separate compensable ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded.,Service connection for migraine headache disorder is remanded due to need for clarification regarding its pre-service existence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, specifically PTSD. The Veteran was not diagnosed with PTSD during the examination and the examiner did not apply the proper standard to determine if his stressor met criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS and depressive disorder NOS resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to April 2, 2014. From April 2, 2014, the disability resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was denied as new and material evidence was not submitted, and the causal link between his current condition and military service or a service-connected condition could not be established.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 70 percent for his persistent depressive disorder prior to July 20, 2020 was denied as the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment due to his psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder claims are remanded for further development. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD rating issue.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current diagnosis and military service.