Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his unspecified depressive disorder was denied by the Board, as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's attorney is granted an additional 20% of the past-due benefits awarded in a May 2019 rating decision, prior to military retired pay withholding.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and has remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to her psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, finding that it is proximately due to and/or aggravated by his service-connected psoriasis disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits to pursue a medical career is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the previous decision and need for further evaluation by a vocational rehabilitation counselor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including depression, PTSD, and anxiety disorder, are not related to her service in Southwest Asia during Operation Desert Storm. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during or were caused by her military service.

The Veteran seeks to have the November 2012 and October 2015 rating decisions regarding TDIU overturned due to CUE. The issues are being remanded for further development and adjudication.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for GAD and also denied her claim for service connection for an acquired mental disorder other than GAD, including major depressive disorder with anxious distress. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the GAD claim, and determined that there was no causal connection between any current psychiatric condition and active service.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran needs to provide authorization for VA to obtain private medical records and a VA examination is needed to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a new theory of entitlement that OSA is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder. The AOJ must obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing this new theory.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and COPD are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD with depression and for nonservice-connected pension due to inextricably intertwined issues. The claims will be reviewed after further development, including a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran was diagnosed with several conditions but no verified stressor was found to support a diagnosis of PTSD. The examiner concluded that his diagnoses were not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder and insomnia, finding that the Veteran's current condition is causally related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical opinions regarding his sinus condition and its relationship to his other claimed conditions.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxious stress is currently rated at 10% prior to January 15, 2020 and at 30% from August 21, 2014 to January 14, 2020. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating are met.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for low back strain or major depressive disorder.,The Veteran was service-connected for his conditions under direct criteria, meaning they were not presumed based on a specific exposure.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including panic disorder, depression, and other specified trauma and stress related disorders. The opinions provided by both private and VA mental health professionals suggest a link between the Veteran’s military service and his current psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with psychotic features was granted service connection. The TDIU claim is remanded for further consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depression have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating since July 28, 1998.