Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's sinusitis and rhinitis are granted service connection under the PACT Act, effective from August 7, 2013.,TMJ is granted an increased rating to 30 percent effective February 3, 2021.,Depressive disorder is granted a 70 percent rating effective February 3, 2021.,Tension headaches are denied as not meeting the criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating.,Fibromyalgia remains at its maximum allowable rating of 50 percent.,IBS with GERD is denied as not meeting the criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions, including major depressive disorder with anxious distress and mild neurocognitive disorder, migraines, bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis and lumbosacral strain (sciatica), right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right hip degenerative arthritis, and left hip degenerative arthritis have been denied. The decision does not address service connection for specific conditions like obstructive sleep apnea, gout, or diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including schizoaffective disorder and major depressive disorder with psychotic symptoms, is causally related to her service in South Korea. The Board has granted the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a 100% evaluation for service-connected PTSD with persistent depressive disorder was granted. The claims for service connection for bilateral asbestos pleural disease, sinusitis, and skin cancer were denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. The VA must provide an adequate medical opinion addressing whether these conditions are related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for neurocognitive disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms cannot be differentiated from his other service-connected psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder has been rated at 100% since June 21, 2019, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board found that the Veteran's remaining service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the denial of his appeal for restoration of TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder with insomnia was granted effective May 6, 2021. The decision does not specify any earlier effective date.

The Board has denied service connection for an eye/vision condition and remanded the issue of service connection for depression.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, PTSD, and insomnia disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a verified in-service stressor or relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The left ankle disability remains rated at 20 percent, while the major depression rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to June 26, 2006, and April 13, 2010, for service connection and a TDIU claim due to failure to consider de novo the relevant service department records submitted in July 2017. The AOJ must reconsider these claims based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for depression is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD, depression, and anxiety are granted as service-connected. The Board found that the in-service stressors were credible and linked to current symptoms.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected diabetes mellitus and major depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of depressive disorder and finds no evidence linking any such condition to service. As a result, the claim for service connection for depressive disorder is denied.

The Board found that despite the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, he retained the ability to perform the physical and mental acts required by employment. Therefore, his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the pending appeal of his service connection claims. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered once the service connection claims are resolved.