Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder are now rated at 70 percent, effective April 6, 2017. The claim for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted as new and material evidence was submitted. Effective dates for the other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's service connection claims for myotonia congenita and adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

PTSD claim was withdrawn by the Veteran during a hearing before the Board.,Depressive Disorder rating increased from 30% to 50% prior to November 28, 2018, and then to 70% beginning November 28, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete records and need for further medical examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied. The effective date will be fixed in accordance with the facts found, but shall not be earlier than June 12, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis, hypothyroidism, and depressive disorder have been denied. The effective dates for the grant of service connection for lumbar strain and depressive disorder have also been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30% for his depressive disorder has been denied. His claims for initial disability ratings in excess of 10% for his left knee and right knee conditions, as well as his TDIU claim, are being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip disability, finding that it is aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The effective date of this decision is not specified.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 50 percent disability rating since January 4, 2016. The appeal for higher ratings or TDIU has been denied.

The Veteran's claim to establish service connection for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder was granted effective November 24, 2015. However, the Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent and found that an earlier effective date is not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of permanent and total disability with loss or use of one lower extremity.

The Board has decided that more information is needed to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other specified depressive disorder, is related to service. The case will be sent back for further evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are granted a rating of 100 percent for the entire period on appeal. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy is remanded due to lack of verification of herbicide exposure, while the hearing loss claim requires additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and depression is remanded. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II (DM) is denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and depressive disorder have been denied as service-connected.,A higher rating for the Veteran's depressive disorder has also been denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for TDIU from November 1, 1999 to November 1, 2000, an earlier effective date for the grant of a TDIU, and a rating in excess of 70 percent for MDD with polysubstance abuse.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for depression with anxiety is being remanded due to the submission of new VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified neurocognitive disorder and unspecified depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were granted, with some issues being resolved in his favor. His cervical spine disability was rated at 10 percent from August 15, 2013 to June 20, 2016, and at 70 percent after March 23, 2015. His lumbar spine disability was also rated at 10 percent for the same period. The Veteran's major depressive disorder received a rating of 70 percent from August 15, 2013 to March 23, 2015, and a 100 percent rating after that date. TDIU was granted prior to March 23, 2015, but dismissed on or after that date.

The Board found that a rating in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea is not warranted and remanded the issues related to left knee strain, unspecified depressive disorder, shin splints, maxillary sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, and tinea corporis. The Veteran's service connection claims are pending.