Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and TBI did not result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to January 29, 2018.,After January 29, 2018, the Veteran's psychiatric disability did not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 70 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking his current condition to active military service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, which reflects the severity of his symptoms including difficulty understanding complex commands and impairment in short-term memory.

The Veteran's IBS is caused by his service-connected psychiatric conditions, and the Board has granted service connection for IBS on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent, but no higher. The evidence showed at least one, but at most two, migraine headaches per month that lasted up to two hours and did not produce severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's MDD with TBI is rated at 70 percent from August 6, 2019 to September 8, 2020. The initial compensable rating for migraine headaches prior to September 8, 2020 is denied. An effective date prior to September 8, 2020 for SMC based on housebound criteria is also denied. Service connection for right knee strain, left knee strain, and back strain are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder is at least as likely as not related to his service, including handling deceased soldiers' personal effects and caskets during his time in Hawaii. The evidence supports this finding.

The Board has ordered remand of the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Depression due to insufficient evidence regarding the claimed in-service stressors. The Veteran is also directed to be evaluated for depression.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and its relationship to a service-connected major depressive disorder (MDD). The appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and headaches. The Veteran's current psychiatric disability was also denied.,Service connection is not granted for the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for other specified depressive disorder was dismissed because the VA Form 10182, which should have been filed within one year of receiving notification of the October 30, 2021 rating decision, was not received in time and no good cause was shown to extend the filing deadline.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU related to his unspecified depressive disorder is being remanded due to the failure to obtain relevant Social Security Administration (SSA) records prior to the June 2021 decision on appeal.

The Veteran's low back disability was restored to a 20 percent rating effective February 24, 2022. The other issues were denied.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is rated at a 50% level, but the Board has granted an increased rating to a 70% level due to significant social and occupational impairment.

The Veteran's depressive disorder associated with tinnitus is rated at 70 percent from August 15, 2016, to present. The effective date for this rating is set as of August 26, 2016.

The Veteran's depression is due to her service-connected left shoulder bursitis/tendinitis, chronic left hip inflammation, and degenerative disc disease. The appeal for service connection for depression as secondary to these conditions has been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to March 9, 2012, and in excess of 70 percent from March 9, 2012, to January 14, 2021, for PTSD with MDD; a TBI; a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities prior to March 9, 2012; and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance prior to November 27, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and left testicle epididymitis, finding no current evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and anxiety have been rendered moot due to the grant of service connection in a January 2024 rating decision.,Service connection has not been established for lumbar spine condition, sleep apnea, or right 5th metacarpal fracture. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability evaluation for acute intermittent tension headaches.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.