Depression Board decisions

The Board remanded the veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder to schedule a VA examination.

The veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of major depressive disorder with anxious distress, secondary to a service-connected low back disability, was denied. The effective date remains May 9, 2022.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for obstructive sleep apnea, major depressive disorder, and migraine headaches were denied. However, the veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression was dismissed because the veteran withdrew the appeal.

The veteran's rating for major depressive disorder (MDD) was denied for a higher than 50 percent rating before February 7, 2021, but granted at 70 percent from that date forward.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder with unspecified trauma and other stressor-related disorder. The decision was based on a lack of evidence linking the condition to active duty service.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran will undergo further development, including obtaining private records and a VA examination.

Service connection for major depressive disorder, anxiety, and generalized anxiety disorder is granted.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for mental health disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The VA must provide a VA examination to assess these conditions.

The appeals for higher disability ratings for migraines with photophobia and depressive disorder were dismissed because the veteran already received the maximum ratings. Service connection for rhinitis was granted due to exposure to burn pits. The appeal for service connection for vitreous degeneration was remanded.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied. The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for erectile dysfunction, special monthly compensation (SMC), and a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD were granted.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for hysterectomy and hemorrhoids were denied. A 10 percent rating was granted for sinusitis, and a 50 percent rating for depressive disorder prior to July 3, 2019. Other issues were remanded.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for recurrent sinusitis and migraine headaches were denied. The claim for an increased rating for major depression was remanded.

The veteran's increased rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) to 60 percent from September 14, 2018 to October 14, 2019 is granted. An earlier effective date of September 14, 2018 for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status is also granted.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection is remanded. The VA must obtain the Veteran's complete Vet Center treatment records.

The veteran's request for a higher rating for left knee osteoarthritis was denied. The claim for service connection for polysubstance dependence and related mental health conditions was remanded for further evaluation.

The veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to her service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is granted. The evidence shows that the OSA is caused by the service-connected depressive disorder.

The appeal for service connection of psychiatric disorders including major depressive disorder, anxiety, insomnia, and PTSD is remanded. The Board found errors in the VA's duty to assist and ordered a new examination.

The Board vacated a previous decision on the veteran's claim for major depressive disorder and denied a compensable rating for hypertension.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher disability rating and TDIU before December 18, 2018, for adjustment disorder with mixed features of depression and anxiety.