Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's major depression with opioid use disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they did not cause deficiencies in most areas of his life.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient information regarding his in-service exposure to hazardous toxins and/or ionizing radiation. The RO must verify the Veteran’s claimed exposures and then readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a mental health condition, specifically bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board finds that further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination, is necessary.

The Veteran's depression is found to be secondary to her service-connected PTSD, and thus she is granted service connection for depression.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's lay statements and VA treatment records are considered in determining whether his current diagnoses are related to his military service.

Your appeal has been dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of your appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, as there are several issues that need clarification regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for further development and consideration by the Director, Compensation and Pension Service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 40 percent for epilepsy, psychomotor type and service connection for depression remains pending as the RO increased his rating to 40 percent but did not grant him the maximum benefit of 100 percent.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately due to service-connected conditions, including asthma and depressive disorder. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to VA's failure to assist in obtaining private medical records and failing to schedule a VA examination. The Veteran is entitled to an opportunity for a VA examination to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, are related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for insomnia, which is related to her service-connected tinnitus, has been granted. The claim for depression (not including insomnia) remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, right shoulder disorder, and left temporomandibular joint disorder have been granted increased ratings. Additionally, the Veteran has been awarded a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for right hip osteoarthritis, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD). The Veteran's major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder are found to be related to her service-connected PTSD. A 30 percent disability rating is assigned for left hip osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are shown to be of such severity so as to preclude substantially gainful employment since August 10, 2009. The claim for TDIU is granted.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding no credible evidence of an in-service stressor or current disability related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including major depressive disorder with anxiety features, bilateral shoulder, hand, and knee conditions, neck condition, back condition, sleep condition, and gastrointestinal condition are all denied. The Board found no current diagnoses or evidence of these conditions during the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma has been remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether her in-service respiratory symptoms are related to her current asthma disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was not reopened as new and material evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder, due to military sexual trauma (MST). Service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder and mood disorder (major depressive disorder) are granted service connection due to exposure in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations, with no specific date assigned.