Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, is aggravated by her service-connected disabilities. The claims for increased ratings of right knee chondromalacia patella, residuals of a right knee tibial fracture, left knee patellofemoral dysfunction, and carpal tunnel syndrome are denied. Service connection for a right hip disability and lumbar spine disability remains pending.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for depression and a back condition is granted, with the exception that additional development is required to address the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for depression due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is related to his military service and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent effective February 9, 2015. Prior to this date, the rating was 50 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's major depressive disorder was aggravated by her military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, major depressive disorder, and PTSD due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and depression. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and service connection for alcohol abuse as secondary to PTSD. The current rating for PTSD is 50 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with Major Depressive Disorder, finding an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence in favor of the Veteran's claim. The decision is based on credible supporting evidence that corroborates the Veteran’s allegations of military sexual trauma (MST).

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error related to the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The RO should attempt to corroborate the Veteran’s in-service stressors and afford him a VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder.

The rating reduction to 10 percent for lumbar spine disability was improper, and a 20 percent rating is restored. An effective date prior to April 22, 2019 for the grant of an increased rating of 100 percent for MDD is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for major depressive disorder with anxious distress (also claimed as PTSD) was denied, and he is still rated at 70 percent. The Veteran also received SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial tinnitus rating of 10 percent is denied as his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's PTSD with other specified depressive disorder rating of 50 percent is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's CAD rating of 60 percent is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and treatment records to address the Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder and major depression, is granted as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected mental disabilities, including major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to September 3, 2014. The Board has granted entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for this period.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status was denied because his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC, as he is not in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, is granted. The issues of service connection for alcohol abuse as secondary to service-connected PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to alcohol abuse and service-connected PTSD are remanded. Service connection for hypertension due to service-connected disabilities (including diabetes mellitus) and herbicide exposure is also remanded. Service connection for a skin disorder due to herbicide exposure is remanded. The issue of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is remanded. TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability due to insufficient evidence and need for further development.