Depression Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a right leg circulatory disorder and right leg pain/strain, finding that the evidence did not support these claims. The Veteran's current conditions are attributed to his nonservice-connected peripheral vascular disease with osteomyelitis status post above knee amputation.,Service connection was also denied for depression and anxiety, as there is no credible medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to their impact on his upper and lower extremities, as they do not result in loss of use of both upper or lower extremities.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD or other acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the current conditions are not related to any in-service event and there is no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board has restored the ratings for the Veteran's service-connected migraine headache disability and unspecified depressive disorder from 0% to their original levels of 30% and 50%, respectively, due to procedural flaws in the reduction process.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his unspecified depressive disorder was denied as the disability did not meet the criteria for a 70% rating, and the current 50% rating adequately reflects his occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to issues related to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically addressing a claim based on in-service personal assault. The Veteran's VA treatment records from March 2020 onwards need to be obtained and efforts should be made to corroborate his reported in-service personal assault.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of prostate cancer and coronary artery bypass, as well as service connection for gout, hypertension (due to service-connected coronary artery bypass), a left knee disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are all remanded due to the need for additional evidence.,Service connection for PTSD is also remanded because there has not been a proper C&P exam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not related to his service-connected disability, and therefore denied entitlement to service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The right knee replacement rating is granted at 60%. The hypertension claim is denied. The left upper anterior chest costochondritis (chest pain) claim is granted with a 10% rating. The PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder claim results in an initial 50% rating and TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's employability prior to October 18, 2019. The Veteran is seeking a TDIU for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with OCD, anxiety and depression was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the previous denial. The Board found that there is sufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD related to service and granted the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and review by the AOJ. The issues of PTSD, hypertension, sleep apnea, and hepatitis C secondary to PTSD are still under consideration.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for hypertension as secondary to major depressive disorder and service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death. The remand requires an adequate medical opinion regarding both issues.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability has been granted a rating of 70 percent prior to December 10, 2015. Additionally, the Veteran is granted entitlement to TDIU due to his inability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for anxiety, depression, memory loss, back problems, and COPD. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and insomnia is rated at 100 percent throughout the appeal period, indicating total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's sleep disorder, bilateral hearing loss, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, and acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression and anxiety) are all currently rated.,The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating and TDIU prior to January 12, 2015 are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding her mental health conditions.

The Veteran's depression and anxiety have caused reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating for the initial rating period from March 1, 2012 to June 11, 2018.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that the Veteran did not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU prior to May 1, 2013.