Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for her acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and schedule a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and for TDIU due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The appellant withdrew his appeal regarding the rating for unspecified depressive disorder prior to July 31, 2017, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter. The Board dismissed this issue as a result.

The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder is reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran’s thoracolumbar strain is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's MDD was rated at 50% from December 20, 2013 to March 5, 2015 and granted a 70% rating beginning March 6, 2015. The appeal is denied for a higher rating after October 25, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further action due to a request for substitution by the Veteran's surviving common law spouse. The issues will be reconsidered after determining if the surviving spouse meets eligibility requirements.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss of the left ear and PTSD, but remanded the issues of service connection for anxiety, depression, and adjustment disorder due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and right knee disability were denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and an acquired psychiatric disability, as secondary to his service-connected back condition. The remand requires additional medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with alcohol disorder is rated at 50 percent, the maximum rating available. The Board denied an increased rating as there was no evidence of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD and related conditions are currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted for any period of time.

The Veteran's claim for major depressive disorder has been reopened and remains denied. The claim for suspect glaucoma is also denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been remanded. The initial rating of 70% for PTSD with depressive disorder prior to January 10, 2019 is granted. However, a higher rating than 70% after that date is denied. A TDIU since March 21, 2016 is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Depressive Disorder and an earlier effective date for a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records, information regarding the qualifications of certain examiners, and further development of the psychiatric increased rating claim.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, finding that the Veteran's claimed conditions did not manifest during active service and were not causally related to his military service.

The claim for service connection of PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, depressive disorder, and insomnia, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a TDIU rating effective from the date of the August 2015 RO decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and new treatment records. The issues include bilateral foot disability, gastrointestinal disability, migraine headaches, and acquired psychiatric disability (major depressive disorder).