Depression Board decisions

The Board denied a rating greater than 70 percent for service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder, for the period from July 25, 2022, to August 17, 2022.

The Board remands the claim for a major depressive disorder to obtain an adequate medical opinion addressing the Veteran's lay reports of trauma in service.

The Board remands the case for an additional medical opinion regarding the etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorders that may be present.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and cannabis use disorder (MDD) is granted with a 100 percent disability rating effective December 18, 2018. The Board also grants TDIU from the same date.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder, but remanded the claim for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of evidence supporting direct or secondary service connection.

The Board granted service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The claims for increased ratings for sciatic radiculopathy were denied, but an effective date of August 29, 2019, was granted for TDIU and DEA benefits.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, persistent depressive disorder, and cannabis use disorder, as the evidence did not show a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and remanded several issues, including an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for plantar fasciitis, a total disability evaluation due to individual unemployability (TDIU), and special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Board denied service connection for anxiety and depression, finding no current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim for service connection for headaches was remanded due to a need for further evidence.

The Board granted service connection for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and major depressive disorder as secondary to multiple service-connected disabilities, and a higher initial rating of 30 percent for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted, while effective dates for service connection for hemorrhoids and migraines prior to specific dates are denied. The claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded.

The Board granted a 70 percent evaluation for the veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder, but denied compensable evaluations for migraines and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The veteran withdrew the appeals for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder and service connection for mental health disability.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during its pendency.

The Board dismissed the claims for an initial compensable rating for irritable bowel syndrome, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, mental health disorder, right hand burn scars, and tinnitus as the AOJ did not readjudicate these issues in the May 2024 rating decision. The claim for service connection for cervical strain was denied due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, migraine headache disorder, tinnitus, cervical strain, right hand finger disorders, left hand arthritis, and right knee strain, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were otherwise related to an in-service injury.

The appeal for service connection for erectile dysfunction was dismissed as the claim had been granted in a previous rating decision. The appeals for increased ratings of the psychiatric disability were denied.

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension is granted, while the evaluation greater than 20 percent for hemorrhoids is denied. Several claims for service connection are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral tinnitus and remanded claims for alcohol use, generalized anxiety disorder, and persistent depressive disorder due to insufficient evidence.