Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's initial rating for depressive disorder with alcohol disorder is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 100% rating.,The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and an eye disorder due to inadequate examination opinions regarding etiology and causation.,The Veteran's eye disorder claim remains pending, with the Board requesting additional examination opinions on the nature and etiology of his eye condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an updated VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rate of payment Chapter 33 educational assistance, to the maximum rate of 100 percent, is granted as his discharge after more than 30 days of active qualifying service was due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and neurocognitive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not total impairment. He was granted a 70% disability rating for this condition prior to January 8, 2020.,Service connection for chronic headaches was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or link to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the date of initial onset and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, depression, and lack of sleep.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss was granted. Service connection for tinnitus is granted, but the claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder with major depressive disorder is now rated at 70% from April 20, 2018 onwards.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, but not higher. The Board found the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 30 percent.,For rhinitis with sinusitis, the Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent since April 21, 2015. The Board found that he has more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year and granted him a 30 percent rating effective from April 21, 2015.,The Veteran's chronic anxiety and depression is rated at 30 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD and depression. The decision finds that the Veteran's current diagnoses are at least as likely as not due to his service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for depression and anxiety disorder, finding that no valid claim was submitted prior to September 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and seeking an opinion from Dr. E.H.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's diagnosed Major Depressive Disorder and any in-service injury, disease or event. The appellant is requested to provide additional information and evidence.

The Board has remanded two issues: the rating for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious features and service connection for PTSD. Additional VA medical records need to be obtained before a decision can be made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than March 8, 2016 for a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD with MDD, TDIU, and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The case was returned to the Board due to a lack of notice to the Veteran’s representative.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and conducting VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, left ankle condition, tinnitus, and hypertension, are sufficiently severe to inhibit his ability to obtain gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for MDD and for entitlement to a TDIU due to changes in treatment and time since his last examination. Further development is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination by an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxious distress has been rated at 30 percent from March 14, 2011 to January 29, 2019 and at 50 percent thereafter. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with severe recurrent major depression and alcohol use disorder is being remanded for a higher rating, and his TDIU claim is also being remanded due to the inextricability of the issues.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to procedural issues and to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service, and the claim for service connection is granted.,New evidence has been received that relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claims for entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD), and disorders of the right hand and bilateral fingers. Therefore, these claims are reopened.,No new and material evidence was received to reopen the claims for entitlement to service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, left hand disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome, or disorders of the right hand and bilateral fingers. These claims remain denied on the merits.,The Veteran's current bilateral elbow disorder is not related to his service, as there was no evidence of such during service. The claim for reopening is denied.,No new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim for entitlement to service connection for a left hand disorder. This claim remains denied on the merits.,New and material evidence has been received that relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claims for entitlement to service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, but these claims remain denied on the merits.,No new and material evidence was received to reopen the claims for entitlement to service connection for disorders of the right hand and bilateral fingers. These claims remain denied on the merits.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD) is related to his service, as there is nexus evidence linking it to service. The claim for reopening is granted.