Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD, MDD, and alcohol use disorder are granted as service-connected. The PTSD is presumed based on military sexual trauma (MST). The MDD and alcohol use disorder are secondary to the PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder with anxious distress, attributing the weight gain and resultant OSA to his mental health condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are related to any verified in-service stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in functional impairment sufficient to render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and prior experience throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 70 percent for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted, effective December 21, 2024. The claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is denied.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for sleep apnea has been granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, warrants a rating of 70 percent from March 19, 2015, to present.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, heart condition, eye conditions, depression, and loss of sex drive due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran was not provided with VA examinations for these issues.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorder and major depressive disorder. The Board found that these conditions are related to his in-service stressors of military sexual trauma (MST).

The Board has dismissed the issues of higher initial ratings for service-connected bilateral knee disability, migraine variants, and bilateral hearing loss as well as service connection for generalized anxiety disorder. The issues of service connection for right elbow lateral epicondylitis and left elbow lateral epicondylitis are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. Service connection for depression is also remanded due to conflicting diagnoses.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for congestive heart failure with coronary artery disease, status-post myocardial infarction was denied as his current MET level does not meet the criteria for a 100% rating. The claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance was also denied due to lack of evidence showing he is in need of regular aid and assistance.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it was caused by exposure to burn pits during active duty in Iraq and Kuwait. The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is also now service-connected.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and failure to obtain an adequate VA examination with medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, persistent depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and tobacco use disorder. Service connection for persistent depressive disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder is rated at 70 percent effective July 8, 2024.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and unspecified anxiety disorder, are caused by his in-service stressor. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's child, M., is eligible for dependency benefits based on school attendance from January 24, 2024 to July 31, 2024 due to the establishment of basic entitlement to additional compensation for dependents and timely submission of information.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression with panic attacks and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder, Hypothyroidism, and Hypertension. The decision is based on direct evidence of these conditions during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, bilateral hip replacements, and renal cysts, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined effect of these conditions.