Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD have been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to October 20, 2015. However, for the period from October 20, 2015, there is no evidence showing total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD and MDD.

The Veteran's service-connected major depression and anxiety NOS are now rated at 70 percent effective from May 13, 2019. Obstructive sleep apnea and migraine headaches have also been granted as service connected.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary before the Board can adjudicate the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition and total disability rating based on individual employability. The Veteran was afforded a VA examination in April 2018, but the examiner did not provide sufficient rationale regarding why the stressors are related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity according to the definition provided by the Code of Federal Regulations.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, effective April 4, 2018. The appeal for a TDIU on schedular and extraschedular bases has been remanded.

The appeals for service connection of bilateral tinnitus, hypertension, anxiety disorder, depression, and migraine headaches have been dismissed.,The appeal for an increased rating for the service-connected mood disorder as secondary to degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine has been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to MST was granted with an effective date of November 4, 2014. The Board found that the evidence received within one year of the January 2016 rating decision (which denied the claim) constituted new and material evidence.

The Board has found a duty to assist error occurred prior to the February 2019 rating decision and remanded for an addendum medical opinion that addresses all relevant evidence of record, including an August 2017 private medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for coronary artery disease, psychiatric disability, and TDIU due to issues with evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran’s symptoms did not more closely approximate the criteria required for a higher disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying the Veteran's alleged stressors and scheduling a VA examination to determine if he meets the criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and fibroid tumors/hysterectomy, including as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disability, must be remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to determine if her current acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective May 15, 2015. The earlier effective date and TDIU claims are denied.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to May 28, 2016 was rated at 50 percent. The appeal is granted for this issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a more complete medical advisory opinion that addresses all medical questions raised, based on a complete record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD and related conditions has been reopened, and the Board finds that new evidence supports a diagnosis of these conditions. However, the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the current symptoms are related to his in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee strain, and right hip strain due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxiety is rated at a higher 70 percent, but no greater. The TDIU claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it had its onset during or is otherwise related to the Veteran's period of active service. The rating assigned remains a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and related conditions. The claim will be reviewed with a VA examination to determine if these disorders are related to the Appellant's military service.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with secondary alcohol abuse and unspecified depressive disorder, has not been rated at the maximum 50 percent level. The Board has ordered a remand to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions.