Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, specifically his unspecified depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. The VA examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing these matters.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 9411. The left lower extremity scars are not compensable.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disability and secondary service connection for her depressive disorder, finding that new evidence supports these determinations.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for hypertension, as it is insufficiently addressed by the June 2020 VA opinion and requires further medical evaluation.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD with secondary major depressive disorder based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a July 2017 rating decision. The AOJ failed to address the CUE contentions in the first instance, necessitating remand.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% evaluation for major depressive disorder was denied as the increase in disability did not occur within one year prior to his May 3, 2023, claim.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress is rated at 70 percent, effective October 21, 2014.,The Veteran's headaches are not entitled to a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's tinnitus and acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure and combat experience.

The Board has found that there was a duty to assist error and remands the claims for further development due to missing treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, anxiety with other mental health disorders, and depression due to the lack of current diagnoses or symptomatology in the medical records.

The Veteran's rating for his psychiatric disability was reduced from 70% to 30%, but the reduction was found improper and the original 70% rating is restored.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease, lumbar strain, and depression. The Board found that it is at least as likely as not that these conditions were caused by the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder were granted a 70 percent rating from September 21, 2012 to January 6, 2015.,From January 6, 2015, the Veteran was granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is granted a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of her April 30, 2022 claim. The ratings for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease remain denied.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms are commensurate with a 100 percent rating from August 15, 2022. The Board finds an initial rating of 100 percent is warranted for the service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of death and service connection for cause of death. The DIC claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of February 2, 2014, for the award of service connection for PTSD is granted. The appeal regarding a higher initial rating for PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder and chronic pain syndrome with depressive like episodes was granted, effective January 13, 2013.