Depression Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and anxiety as his Notice of Disagreement did not adhere to the relevant claims processing rules.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has remanded for further development regarding a higher rating.,Service connection for neck arthritis and depression as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability has been granted.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, was rated at 70 percent effective August 5, 2020. The effective date for the TDIU rating is also set to this date.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including insomnia and depressive disorders, is now rated at 50% effective October 14, 2020.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was fully granted in a July 2022 rating decision.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and unspecified schizophrenia and other psychotic disorder, is now rated at 100% effective June 14, 2021. The left lower extremity radiculopathy has also been granted an earlier effective date of September 15, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression is granted. The left ankle disability claim is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by the service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded several service connection and rating issues due to the submission of additional evidence not previously considered by the AOJ.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder (MDD) and a 30 percent rating for gastritis, effective throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, including multiple sclerosis, a recurrent skin disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being returned for additional medical opinions addressing the relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, diagnosed as major depressive disorder and unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, are granted service connection due to credible evidence of in-service stressors and a link between current symptoms and those events.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about obtaining inpatient records from September 1988 and addressing the relationship between service-connected lumbar spine disability and mental health disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for unspecified depressive disorder and PTSD due to lack of evidence supporting a causal relationship between the conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board granted an increased rating of 70 percent for the psychiatric disorder from April 5, 2023.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is rated at 50 percent, the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as they resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records regarding a diagnosis of adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression during the Veteran's service period. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including MDD and adjustment disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder was denied as the most recent final decision granting this benefit was in October 2021, which is not earlier than August 23, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder with other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of this condition, which he relates to witnessing a sexual assault during active service. Service connection is granted as his condition is found to be related to active service. The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic migraines is remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for anxiety condition and depression was dismissed because the Notice of Disagreement was not filed within one year of the October 2018 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his unspecified depressive disorder was denied as the evidence did not show symptoms that would warrant a 70% or 100% disability rating.