Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder was denied as the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for sinusitis was also denied because his condition did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need to verify in-service stressors. The AOJ will attempt to obtain ship logs and other pertinent records from the USS Emory S Land (AS-39) to support his claims.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of verified in-service stressors. The claim for other specified depressive disorder is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's diagnosed Major Depressive Disorder is found to be related to her military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran is granted TDIU effective September 27, 2019. The effective date for DEA eligibility is also set to September 27, 2019.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Major Depressive Disorder, Right Knee Total Replacement, Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine, and others, prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted his claim for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder with anxious features, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his service and specifically the death of his father during service.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for depression, low back condition, gynecological condition, and skin condition due to lack of new and relevant evidence. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to her service.

Service connection for headaches is denied.,An earlier effective date of November 13, 2018, for an increased disability rating of 70 percent for the psychiatric disability (PTSD with depressive disorder and insomnia) is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and hypertension, but has remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD, alcohol use disorder, and initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate-related disabilities are found to be the primary cause of his depression, which is granted as secondary service connection. The left ankle disability claim is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of June 11, 2020 for the award of service connection for Parkinson's disease and its associated complications.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating in excess of 70 percent for her psychiatric conditions (PTSD, persistent depressive disorder with intermittent major depressive episodes, and alcohol use disorder) has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment at any time during the appeal period. Her TDIU claim was granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including chronic adjustment disorder, PTSD, depression, and anxiety is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board will consider the evidence of record at the time of the February 2021 RO supplemental claim decision on appeal.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically dysthymia, is related to service on a direct basis and has been granted.

The Board has denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus type II, right toe disability, right shoulder strain, and hypertension. The Veteran's right toe disability was granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error related to personal assault claims. The AOJ must provide the required specialized notice regarding personal trauma under 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(5) and afford the Veteran an opportunity to respond.

The appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is dismissed due to mootness. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depressive disorders, secondary to a service-connected back condition, is denied.

The Veteran's initial rating in excess of 50 percent for unspecified anxiety disorder and service connection for PTSD were denied. The appeal is based on the severity, frequency, and duration of psychiatric symptoms.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the causal nexus between the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD and his conceded in-service stressor, as no such opinion was provided by the VA examiner.