Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) was granted from May 20, 2016. The Board also remanded the claim for a higher disability rating for his lumbosacral strain, degenerative joint disease and intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for persistent depressive disorder due to additional development of the record being necessary.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including a lumbar spine disorder and various peripheral neuropathies, as the probative evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified depressive disorder, bipolar disorder type II, PTSD, adjustment disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and insomnia disorder. The initial rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae was denied, and the effective dates for the awards of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and tinnitus were also denied.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD, moderate recurrent major depression, anxiety, and mental-health-related insomnia disorder. The appeals of the deferrals for PTSD, dizziness, and sleep apnea were dismissed, while the claims for dizziness and sleep apnea were remanded for further development.

The appeal for an earlier effective date was dismissed due to a procedural defect in the Veteran's election of administrative review options.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for the service-connected unspecified depressive disorder throughout the period on appeal.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for an earlier effective date and a higher initial rating for persistent depressive disorder.

The Board granted service connection for allergic rhinitis, asthma, other specified trauma and stressor related disorder with moderate recurrent major depressive disorder, anxious stress and nightmares (other specified trauma and related disorder), and tinnitus.

The appeal for service connection for left knee pain, right knee pain, and major depressive disorder was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, as it is related to the Veteran's active-duty service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and obstructive sleep apnea to the RO for further development, including verification of in-service stressors and a new VA examination.

The veteran withdrew all claims for service connection and an initial rating, dismissing the appeal.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and depression, as a new VA medical opinion is needed.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection and ratings, including IVDS with degenerative arthritis, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, major depressive disorder (MDD), and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected acquired psychiatric disorders, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for hepatic stenosis, COPD, CHF, and depression, as well as a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The appeals for increased ratings of the Veteran's service-connected conditions were dismissed due to a procedural defect in the appeal process.

The Board granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and depressive disorder, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected knee and shin splint disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder, TMJ and bruxism, and headaches but denied it for loss of smell.