Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his priapism and resulting erectile dysfunction. The effective date for the grant of a 20% disability rating for priapism is denied.

The Board has denied a temporary total rating for major depression with anxiety features and remanded the issue of service connection for PTSD.

The Board has granted the reopening of a claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depression. The case is now remanded to obtain an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current diagnosis of depression is related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression is rated at 70 percent from October 3, 2011 to October 7, 2014 and remains at that rating thereafter. The evidence shows significant impairment in most areas due to symptoms such as anxiety, depressed mood, panic attacks, thoughts of suicide, chronic sleep impairment, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

For the period prior to August 24, 2015, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent and denied a higher rating.,For the period from August 24, 2015 onwards, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent and denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder have been rated at 70 percent for the entire period on appeal, due to significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and evaluation, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The appeal for an increased rating and TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's claims for balance problems, increased ratings for chronic lumbar strain and depressive disorder, and TDIU based on service-connected disabilities have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for cervical foraminal stenosis is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and MDD.

The Veteran's rating for panic disorder with agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder not otherwise specified was restored to 70 percent from April 10, 2013 to August 29, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder are not service-connected, with the exception of a remanded issue regarding his left toe disability. The claims for increased ratings on right knee disabilities remain pending.

The Veteran's social anxiety disorder with insomnia and depression has been granted a 100 percent rating, effective October 24, 2013. The Board also found that the Veteran’s service-connected eye disorder is related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial rating for major depressive disorder was denied prior to April 10, 2014. A rating of 70 percent but not higher was granted beginning on that date. The ratings for back disability and left foot Achilles tendonitis were remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder was denied as the evidence did not show symptoms that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right knee disability and compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to eye surgery, as they need additional opinions on whether there is a secondary relationship between the disabilities and the service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further examination is required.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is granted at a 70% rating effective April 25, 2017. The remaining issues of increased ratings and secondary service connection are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression and/or PTSD, but denied service connection for colon cancer. The effective date of the nonservice-connected pension award is set at March 26, 2010.