Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left lower extremity sciatica was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim prior to the Board's decision.,A 100 percent disability rating for major depressive disorder with psychotic features is granted, reflecting total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and MDD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of either condition and that the preponderance of evidence does not support a link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is being remanded for a new examination to assess its current severity, and the TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its interrelation with the increased evaluation claim.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new evidence submitted. The issues of increased ratings for lumbar spine disability, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment, specially adapted housing, or a special home adaptation grant.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and attempting to obtain relevant non-VA medical records. The Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are being evaluated in relation to her active service.

The Veteran's benign chronic leukocytosis is currently rated as noncompensable and not entitled to a higher rating.,From June 7, 2011, the Veteran's muscle contraction type headaches with migraine features are rated at 50 percent. The Veteran has been granted the maximum possible schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 8100 for this condition.,The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated as 70 percent and not entitled to a higher rating.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress features is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of claim. Service connection for fibromyalgia, CFS, hypertension, IBS, and a headache disorder are granted. The Veteran also receives a TDIU rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for major depression has been granted at a 70 percent level. The appeal regarding TDIU is being remanded due to incomplete employment history information.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, should be remanded due to insufficient information provided by the Veteran regarding a reported in-service stressor. The VA needs to attempt to corroborate the Veteran’s claimed stressor involving a fellow Marine who was injured during boot camp at Parris Island.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (major depressive disorder) have been granted. The right shoulder disability claim remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of an in-service stressor related to military sexual trauma (MST) and for additional VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is pending.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including near-continuous depression, suicidal ideation, intermittent neglect of personal hygiene, flattened affect, abnormal speech patterns, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and inability to establish or maintain effective relationships. The Board found a 70 percent disability rating since September 5, 2017, adequately reflects the Veteran's condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety and depressive disorder not otherwise specified (NOS), secondary to his service-connected Parkinson’s disease. The decision is based on the benefit-of-the-doubt doctrine.

The Veteran's claims for depression, vertigo, and headaches have been granted. The Board found that the evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's son, M.J., is being remanded for further examination and evaluation to determine if he was permanently incapable of self-support as of his 18th birthday due to a mental or physical disability.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected disabilities, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for PTSD and MDD. The Veteran's in-service stressors need to be verified, and a new VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of her psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder, but remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.