Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a psychiatric examination. The issues of rating adjustment disorder and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are deferred pending this development.

The Board has remanded the claim due to conflicting medical evidence about whether the Veteran has depression and if it is related to his left knee patellofemoral syndrome. The case requires further examination by a VA psychiatrist.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating for posttraumatic stress disorder with unspecified depressive disorder is being remanded due to the receipt of additional VA treatment records. A supplemental statement of the case must be issued to reflect consideration of this new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for bilateral blindness was denied as the evidence did not show that VA care or lack of proper care caused his vision loss.,Service connection for depression secondary to bilateral blindness and service connection for a dental condition were both denied due to insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the right hand is granted, but her earlier effective date claim for depression is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, adjustment disorder with depression/anxiety, and PTSD, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent, and the Board has ordered a remand to determine if his condition warrants an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted a 70 percent rating, subject to the rules and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for OSA, fibromyalgia, and CFS due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's sleep disturbances are found not to be a separate disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for major depression with PTSD as secondary to pseudofolliculitis barbae, finding that the claim arose on September 15, 2003 and the appropriate effective date is July 14, 2014.

The Board has ordered remand for the following claims: increased ratings for residuals of plantar wart removal left foot and sensory neuropathy of the left foot; increased rating for MDD prior to May 19, 2014; increased rating for MDD from May 19, 2014; TDIU prior to April 22, 2009; service connection for bilateral pes planus and any neurological disorder of the left foot other than sensory neuropathy. Remand is required due to outstanding records that need to be obtained.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder has been granted a 70% rating from August 6, 2013 and continuing thereafter. The Board also granted the Veteran a TDIU due to service-connected disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his in-service combat experiences. The claim of adjustment disorder with depressed mood is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to total disability rating based on unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression. The Veteran's tension headaches were granted a rating of 50 percent effective February 22, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for prostate gland injuries, infections, hypertrophy, post-operative residuals, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and major depressive disorder were previously denied. New evidence has reopened these claims but the service connection is granted only for some of them (acquired psychiatric disorders). The remaining claims remain pending.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at a maximum of 50 percent from August 2, 2008 to July 24, 2015. A TDIU is granted for the same period due to his service-connected disabilities. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted during this time.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

Service connection for PTSD and MDD has been granted.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis, lumbar disability, and right shoulder disability are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD and Persistent Depressive Disorder have been granted an increased rating to 70 percent effective March 4, 2019.