Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's headaches were rated at a 30 percent disability rating from May 29, 2012 to February 26, 2015. From February 27, 2015, the Veteran was granted a 50 percent disability rating for his severe/frequent mixed headaches associated with service-connected persistent depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss and etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the need for a VA examination regarding his acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as the inextricably intertwined claims for GERD and dizziness. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for a psychiatric disability (psychosis) as it is related to his already service-connected depression.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for depression, right knee condition, and left hip condition as secondary to service-connected disabilities. However, these claims are being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder injury and psychiatric disability, but has remanded the low back injury claim due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 100 percent since March 11, 2020. Prior to that date, the Board found total occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as gross impairment in thought processes or communication, grossly inappropriate behavior, persistent danger of hurting himself and others, and intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding that any current psychiatric disability was related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and further development is required.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with anxious distress has made him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's request to revise a May 2003 rating decision that granted service connection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder with an effective date of August 4, 1998. The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the original decision.

The Veteran's PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia was rated at 30 percent prior to July 25, 2014 and at 70 percent after that date. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.,Service connection was not granted for scrotum pain, erectile dysfunction, bilateral ankle disability, or left wrist disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, insomnia, depression, abdominal pain, anxiety, peripheral vascular disease of the left upper extremity, thoracic spine disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, stomach condition, peripheral vascular disease of the left lower extremity, peripheral vascular disease of the right lower extremity, peripheral vascular disease of the right upper extremity, and rash for further development. The Veteran's service treatment records are negative for any complaints or findings related to these conditions. However, he contends that his disabilities were incurred during active duty due to various factors including a motor vehicle accident in 1975.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for mental disorder due to traumatic stress also claimed as anxiety, depression and chronic adjustment disorder is granted. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right shoulder disability, left leg disability, right leg disability, and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for degenerative joint disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than his anxiety disorder, finding that his symptoms do not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD or depression.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and an earlier effective date for Major Depressive Disorder was granted. The current effective date is August 16, 2019, with a 100% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a need for further development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is related to service and the claim for this condition has been granted.

The Veteran's major depression with anxiety and history of stuttering has resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including anxiety and depression. Additional development is needed.