Depression Board decisions

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding an increased rating for a right hand mass and remanded the issue of an initial higher rating for unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative joint disease is granted service connection, and a 50 percent initial rating for major depressive disorder prior to December 28, 2010 is granted. The issue of an increased rating for major depressive disorder from December 28, 2010 through July 6, 2017 remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, including as due to epilepsy and/or seizures, is remanded. The issue of major depressive disorder is also being considered in conjunction with the epilepsy issue.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for equipment purchases and home modifications under the Independent Living Plan through VA’s VR&E program due to his intent to withdraw. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further consideration of his claims, including service connection for parkinsonism and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection based on his reported symptoms during and after service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with PTSD and panic disorder is found to be etiologically related to his service, and the claim for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining an addendum opinion to clarify whether the Veteran has a mood disorder or depressive disorder distinct from his PTSD. The issues of service connection for these conditions are also being remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for arrhythmia and heart disability is denied. A 100 percent rating for major depressive disorder is granted, effective from the filing of the claim. The Veteran's headaches are rated as noncompensable prior to October 8, 2019, but a 30 percent rating is granted since that date. The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder were not found to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent prior to September 4, 2019.

The Board has dismissed the claim for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, MDD, and psychosis.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder has resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has remanded both his claim for an increased rating and his TDIU claim due to a lack of recent examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's deployment to Grenada and a need for an opinion on whether his acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service, including any reported incidents in Grenada.

Major depressive disorder has been granted service connection and is rated at 70 percent.,Service connection for sinusitis has been granted. The Veteran was treated for sinusitis during active service.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating. The TDIU claim is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100 percent disability for PTSD.

The Board has withdrawn the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, throat cancer, and lung cancer. The claim for new and material evidence to reopen service connection for depression is denied. Service connection for skin cancer is also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no new and material evidence that would support reopening the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to a recent diagnosis of major depressive disorder, which was not considered in the previous denial. The Veteran's claim for service connection is now pending and requires an addendum opinion from the VA psychiatrist.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee condition, and neck condition due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran served as a casket bearer during his military service.