Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for unspecified anxiety disorder and depressive disorder with unspecified schizophrenia is granted. The Board also found that the Veteran is entitled to a 70 percent disability rating, but no higher, throughout the claim period.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD (claimed as PTSD with depression and anxiety) is rated at 100 percent, the highest possible rating, due to total occupational and social impairment caused by symptoms such as intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to military sexual trauma (MST), is remanded as there are conflicting diagnoses and the in-service stressor needs further corroboration.

The claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral foot disorder, depression and anxiety (psychiatric disability), left knee disability, and tinnitus have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. These claims are now remanded for further review.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is granted a higher rating from January 4, 2020. The right knee disability remains at the 10% level.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for service connection of his acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression. The Board has remanded the case to address whether there was clear and unmistakable error in a March 2011 rating decision that awarded service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and depression. The decision found that there was no evidence of in-service psychiatric symptoms or diagnoses, and that current psychiatric disorders were not related to any in-service stressful events.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with anxiety and depression and insomnia disorders, as well as secondary service connection for depressive disorder, insomnia disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder due to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder requires the care or assistance of another on a regular basis, and the Board has granted entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.

The issues of service connection for chronic right and left knee disabilities have been dismissed. Service connection has been granted for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disability (including major depression and PTSD), but the remaining issues related to GERD, IBS, ulcerative colitis, and gastroenteritis are remanded.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including major depression and PTSD, is also service-connected based on a verified stressor.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of March 8, 2016 for a 100 percent rating for major depressive disorder and PTSD. The claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder with anxiety and sleep apnea. The claims of service connection for hypertension and multiple sclerosis, both claimed as due to in-service herbicide exposure, are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation in excess of 50 percent for persistent depressive disorder has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. Effective dates for the awards of service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are denied, but a higher initial rating of 20% is granted for both conditions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, and lower back disability are service-connected. However, additional evidence is needed to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder (likely including PTSD, anxiety disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and dysthymic disorder) and sciatic nerve disability are also service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

All claims for service connection prior to July 27, 2010 have been dismissed due to the absence of allegations of specific errors in fact or law.,The claim for a higher initial rating for patellofemoral syndrome left knee with arthritis and limited flexion has also been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, a back disability, and a neck disability due to incomplete service treatment records and unverified stressors. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it may be impacted by these other claims.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, and his left knee disability remains at 30 percent. The Veteran's anxiety disorder and depression are rated at 70 percent effective December 12, 2019. A TDIU claim has been remanded.