Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's migraines, depression and anxiety, and traumatic brain injury are all rated at the maximum available under their respective disability codes. The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and a need for further examination to determine if his current psychiatric conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been withdrawn. The Board has also dismissed the claim for a compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss. The case is REMANDED for further action regarding PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, an unspecified anxiety disorder, and an unspecified depressive disorder has been reopened. The case is remanded to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine if he has these conditions and whether they are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection was granted, and a 10 percent rating is assigned for degenerative changes to the right ring and little fingers, effective June 5, 2012. The appeal related to his acquired psychiatric disorder, respiratory disorder, and memory loss associated with depression, diabetes mellitus, or medications.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, as her diagnosis of PTSD is related to a sexual assault during active duty.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (diagnosed as major depressive disorder with anxious distress) and tinnitus, finding that both conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and dysthymia, is granted. The effective date for service connection of the psychiatric disorder is set at April 11, 2011. The effective date for TDIU (Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability) is also set at April 11, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to May 14, 2019. Beginning May 14, 2019, the Veteran's Persistent Depressive Disorder is rated as denied. The appeal for a higher rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further verification of stressors. The Veteran's psychiatric conditions are being reviewed again with new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a gastrectomy but has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include anxiety and depression.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status from October 1, 2014 is granted. The decision is based on the Veteran having a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent disabling and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions was dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending.

The Veteran's depression disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected condition, as there are discrepancies between previous medical opinions and incomplete treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression were found to not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating prior to March 29, 2017. From that date, they did not meet the criteria for a 50% disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for unspecified depressive disorder was granted, with a 50 percent rating assigned prior to March 12, 2018. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms most closely approximated the criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the occurrence of in-service stressors and missing VA and SSA records. The Veteran needs a VA psychiatric examination to determine if she has PTSD, other psychiatric disorders, and whether these conditions are related to service.

A 70 percent rating is granted for depression and anxiety from May 15, 2006 to August 22, 2011.,An evaluation in excess of 50 percent for depression and anxiety from August 23, 2011 is denied.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable (0 percent) disability rating for obstructive sleep apnea was increased to a 50 percent rating, effective August 2011. The Veteran is currently rated at 50 percent for the entire initial rating period due to his use of a CPAP machine.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and new evidence received. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being reconsidered.