Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder (claimed as PTSD with depression) is currently rated at 30 percent prior to May 3, 2019 and 50 percent thereafter. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.,The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and granted service connection for PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support a link between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The TDIU claim for prior to April 1, 2010 is denied, but a TDIU is granted starting from April 1, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability and increased rating for PTSD with depression have been denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of direct or presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back disorder, bilateral lower extremity sciatica, sleep apnea, depression, and congestive heart failure due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for obtaining missing SSA records related to service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the initial disability rating of PTSD with depression due to unclear attribution of symptoms. The service connection claim for tinnitus remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU on an extraschedular basis under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) before July 31, 2014 was dismissed due to the procedural error of granting a TDIU while the issue was in appellate status.

The Board denied service connection for persistent depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's condition was not related to his active duty service and could not have been aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's depression is productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, social relations, thinking, and mood. The Board has granted an increased initial disability rating of 70 percent for depression.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to duty to assist errors. The case will be returned for the VA examiner to provide a rationale regarding whether the Veteran’s psychiatric disorders are related to service, including his reported stressors as a firefighter during military service.

The Board has determined that there is sufficient evidence to support a finding of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's symptoms are related to her military experiences and other trauma.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder is remanded due to new evidence received since the last statement of the case.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including recurrent severe major depressive disorder with psychotic features and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), based on a VA-contracted psychiatrist's opinion linking the conditions to an in-service personal assault during active military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings were dismissed due to his death. The case is referred back to the AOJ for substitution of claimant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to harassment during active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and anxiety, as secondary to service-connected physical disabilities. Additional evidence received since the last statement of the case must be considered.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, particularly PTSD and depressive disorder. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and restored the Veteran's rating for primary insomnia and depression to 30 percent.

The Board has found that the Veteran was not given a sufficient opportunity to attend the scheduled examination for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The matter is therefore being remanded to reschedule the Veteran for an examination to evaluate the etiology of the claimed condition.