Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD and MDD prior to December 15, 2021 is denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher than 50 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and treatment record review regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, particularly PTSD.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected. The claims for psychiatric disability, right shoulder, left wrist, and low back disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions from previous VA examiners and a need for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including whether it began during service or is related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, previously claimed as depression and bipolar disorder, have been dismissed due to the procedural history indicating a final denial of these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, specifically Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, was rated at 70 percent from February 4, 2021 to November 17, 2021. Since then, the rating has been denied for a higher level of disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to his occupational and social impairment. The appeal for TDIU has been remanded.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. However, the back disability is denied as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a depressive disorder and chronic headaches, finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, MDD, and GAD have been granted as they are all found to be related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to address his claims for service connection due to the implicit denial of these claims within the context of the SMC claim. The VA must fulfill its duty to assist in substantiating these service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, and general anxiety disorder due to pre-decisional errors in the duty to assist.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to a withdrawal by the appellant's authorized representative.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of anxiety disorder and depression, effective from August 31, 2024. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective December 1, 2016. The appellant received attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the January 2022 rating decision for TDIU, but is not entitled to additional fees as he has already received the proper amount.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings were denied. The Veteran was granted a 10% rating for unspecified anxiety disorder as of July 1, 2022, but the appeal is pending for ED and depression.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been found to meet the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating, effective June 4, 2020.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is pending for the entire period prior to April 16, 2021. The AOJ did not obtain SSA records relevant to his TDIU claim before adjudicating it, which constitutes a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Board orders remand to consider these records.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent effective January 14, 2022.