Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection for depression, a higher evaluation for depression, and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right hip condition with leg pain was denied due to lack of relevant evidence. The claim for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was granted as new and relevant evidence supported the diagnosis.,Service connection for major depressive disorder is denied, as there are no symptoms that meet the criteria for a 70% rating under Diagnostic Code 9434.

The Board denied eligibility for attorney fees based on past due benefits awarded in a December 10, 2022 rating decision because the appellant did not submit a qualifying request for review of a previous decision.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including an adjustment disorder and a depressive disorder, is remanded due to insufficient evidence. The VA will need to conduct further examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits are granted effective January 1, 2010. SMC at the housebound rate is granted effective January 18, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the claimed conditions and military service. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine if there is a link between his current diagnoses and his time in service.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder, assigning a 70 percent disability rating effective October 25, 2020. The Veteran's attorney is eligible to receive past-due benefits awarded in the May 2022 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected mood disorder with major depressive features is granted at a 100% evaluation from November 29, 2011. The effective date for TDIU and DEA eligibility is also established as of that date.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for multiple sclerosis with mood disorder and dementia has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for allergies, a back disability, gingivitis, a nerve disability, and a sinus disability has been withdrawn.,Service connection for unspecified depressive disorder is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's current unspecified depressive disorder is related to her active service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD. The decision also notes a duty to assist error due to the failure to obtain records relevant to the Veteran's claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress is not rated more than 30 percent, as the evidence does not show occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy is not rated more than 20 percent, as the symptoms do not meet criteria for a higher rating based on incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.,Lumbosacral strain with IVDS and L4-L5 herniated intervertebral disc does not warrant an initial rating more than 10 percent due to combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 120 degrees but not greater than 235 degrees.

The Veteran's depressive disorder due to chronic pain syndrome is granted as secondary to his service-connected temporomandibular joint disorder, chronic right ankle sprain with Achilles tendonitis, chronic left ankle sprain with Achilles tendonitis, mild thoracolumbar dextroscoliosis, chondromalacia, left knee, and chondromalacia, right knee from August 8, 2018.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and Persistent Depressive Disorder. The symptoms more closely approximate those associated with a 70 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, mood disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, and persistent depressive disorder due to a lack of adequate medical opinion regarding nexus with claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety and depression as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right and left shoulder, and lumbosacral strain.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including GAD, adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, and panic disorder. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded for a new examination and opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating for this condition. The appeal has been denied as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded.