Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is denied due to the lack of characteristic lesions involving at least 5 percent of his entire body or exposed areas.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED), depression, and anxiety are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, finding that his current mental health conditions did not manifest during service and are not related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder, finding that the evidence supports a causal relationship between the two conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his left shoulder disability and unspecified depressive disorder disabilities with obesity as an intermediate step due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has remanded several claims due to errors in the original decision, including service connection for multiple myeloma and depression and mood disorder. The remaining claims are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to errors in obtaining necessary personnel records and medical evidence. The appellant's right knee disability is being reviewed, as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder claimed as secondary to his right knee condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to errors in verifying the Veteran's claimed stressors and a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The claims will be reconsidered after further development.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board denied an evaluation in excess of this rating. The claim for a TDIU prior to October 21, 2020, was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder due to inadequate medical opinion and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at a 50 percent disability rating, which reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her unspecified depressive disorder was denied as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.,The Veteran's right ankle disability was granted service connection as secondary to her service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the issue regarding service connection for schizoaffective disorder, depressive type (historically claimed as major depressive disorder, PTSD personal trauma, schizoaffective disorder). As a result, this issue is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD to include major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder is rated at 70 percent, which reflects occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as the evidence does not show total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and he seeks a higher rating. The Board finds that there may be outstanding VA treatment records from Chattanooga VA Clinic that have not been associated with his claims file.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings are being remanded due to incomplete records from non-VA civilian providers and the VA emergency room. The Board requests authorization for these missing records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for Major Depressive Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder have been granted due to the evidence showing these conditions were incurred during active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder has been withdrawn by the appellant prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including persistent depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding the lack of an examination and missing in-service mental health records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is now recharacterized as encompassing all current psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent for depressive disorder, but denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection. The appeal is resolved in favor of the Veteran on both issues.