Depression Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the claims for anxiety disorder, PTSD, and depressive disorder due to the need for a VA examination to clarify the nature of these conditions and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and to obtain VA treatment records. The issues of increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities are also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 9411. The VA examiners found that her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety, is rated at 70 percent. The Board has granted special monthly compensation on a statutory housebound basis effective August 31, 2015. Service connection for the bilateral knee condition remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, as there is no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder in the medical records.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, since June 13, 2014, is dismissed. The issue of a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinea corpora of the scalp and body, since September 5, 2008, is remanded.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain with degenerative changes is currently rated at 10% and denied an increased rating.,Prior to November 28, 2018, the Veteran's major depressive disorder was rated at 50%, which remains unchanged. From that date onwards, her rating has been increased to 70%.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and depressive disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's MDD with PTSD is rated at 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran's asthma is rated at 30 percent, requiring daily inhalation of bronchodilator therapy.,The Veteran's migraines are rated at 50 percent, indicating very frequent prostrating attacks.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability, finding that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. The decision also found that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of preexisting aggravation.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression disorder have been granted service connection, with a rating of 70% effective from August 29, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Depressive Disorder due to a personal assault in service have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder, did not begin during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the reduction of his disability rating for Major Depressive Disorder with alcohol abuse is dismissed because he elected to have it reviewed by a VLJ while his Higher-Level Review was still pending.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) was granted effective August 1, 2019. The Board denied an earlier effective date of January 4, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for depression and other psychiatric disorders. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his current mental health conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was initially rated at 30 percent prior to November 6, 2018 and increased to 70 percent effective November 6, 2018.,Prior to November 6, 2018, the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Since then, his condition has been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder is dismissed. The Board also granted entitlement to total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to a service-connected disability (TDIU).

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for major depressive disorder with anxious distress, finding that the evidence supports a link between his military experiences and his current psychological symptoms.