Depression Board decisions

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's low back pain, major depressive disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, and a disability rating of 30 percent for migraine headaches.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a 100 percent disability rating for generalized anxiety disorder to include major depressive disorder, finding that it was not factually ascertainable based on all evidence of record that an increase in disability had occurred within one year prior to August 12, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder mixed with depression was granted a 70 percent rating from July 23, 2022.

The Veteran's service connection for allergic rhinitis was granted, while the claims for temporomandibular joint disorder, vertigo, insomnia (also claimed as depression), and hemorrhoids were denied. The Board also remanded several other claims for further development.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability and recurrent lower extremity disabilities to ensure that there is a complete record upon which to decide the claim.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, and major depressive disorder. The appeal for entitlement to service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was dismissed.

The Board granted service connection for left knee, right knee, lumbosacral strain, and right hand scars, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, urticaria, allergic rhinitis, tension headaches, shoulder bursitis, foot plantar fasciitis, ankle tendonitis, thumb strain, and PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder. The Board also remanded claims for fatigue, CFS, sleep apnea, and amputated left little finger.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his psychiatric disorder and lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating than those currently assigned.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder, effective from the date of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension, but granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc disease (IVDS).

The Board denied service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, hearing loss, and various other conditions as the evidence did not support a finding of direct or secondary causation to active service.

The Board granted service connection for insomnia and remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, MDD, and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for MDD with anxious distress, as new and material evidence was not received within one year of the April 2015 rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for binge eating disorder and denied increased ratings for various disabilities, but granted a 20 percent rating for right knee patellofemoral syndrome with limitation of flexion and a separate 10 percent rating for right knee patellofemoral syndrome with instability.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the period prior to May 12, 2023, and a rating in excess of 70 percent from May 12, 2023.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the regular need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and unspecified depressive disorder with anxiety, but remanded the claims for left knee disability, headache disability, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and major depressive disorder, as secondary to a service-connected left ankle disorder.