Depression Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that there was no nexus between his current psychiatric disabilities and his military service.

The Board has granted a 100% disability rating for major depressive disorder, recurrent (claimed as PTSD) for the period on appeal due to total occupational and social impairment caused by symptoms such as suicidal ideation, depression, hypervigilance, anxiety, memory loss, paranoia-like symptoms, suspiciousness, chronic sleep impairment, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and physical aggression.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD resulted in total occupational and social impairment prior to January 3, 2020. As a result, the Board granted an initial rating of 100 percent for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination. The issues include bilateral eye disorder, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorders (likely including depression and anxiety), and right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period of September 14, 2011 to February 12, 2020 is remanded as it should be referred back to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service for reconsideration of an extra-schedular TDIU award.,Beginning February 13, 2020, a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities that include depressive disorder, tussive syncope, chronic sinusitis, and recurrent tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent prior to October 5, 2019, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter for PTSD with major depression and alcohol abuse, as well as for a TDIU prior to that date. The Board dismissed these appeals.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is withdrawn.,The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fascitis is granted, and the appeal is allowed to that extent only.,Service connection for PTSD and depression are denied.,The Veteran’s bilateral plantar fascitis with equinus deformity is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's left wrist condition and bilateral hearing loss are also remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran has not been shown to meet the DSM-V criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or depression during the appeals period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression is not related to service or his service-connected right great toe condition, and thus denied the claim for service connection. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis remains pending as it was not fully addressed in the April 2020 rating decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression. The evidence now shows that it is at least as likely as not that his current condition had its onset in-service and thus grants the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, was denied as there is no credible evidence to support the claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of this level.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied.,Service connection for kidney cancer is denied.,Service connection for head scar is denied.,Major depressive disorder is granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for persistent depressive disorder and his TDIU claim are both remanded due to the need for additional treatment records and an updated VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current depressive symptoms began following his retirement and subsequent isolation. The symptomology attributed to both conditions overlapped significantly.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a higher disability rating for low back disability due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal. The issue of an increased rating for PTSD is remanded.

The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, has been reopened. The Veteran's current mental health conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of an acquired mental health disability is granted. The Board finds new and material evidence has been submitted, but the case is remanded due to a lack of VA examination regarding the relationship between in-service abuse and current mental health conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his service-connected left shoulder strain, obstructive sleep apnea, major depressive disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), migraine headaches, and total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).,The Veteran's left shoulder strain is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate development, requiring a new VA examination and obtaining additional medical records.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and remanded the claims of a higher rating for depressive disorder with TBI, as well as a TDIU prior to June 6, 2017.