Depression Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder, finding that these conditions are superimposed on an existing personality disorder that began during active duty.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, the minimum rating required for a higher disability rating. The Board found that her symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with anxiety, depression, forgetfulness, and insomnia due to a lack of current diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder under DSM-5 criteria.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, right hip disability, and migraine headaches due to secondary service-connected disabilities.,Specifically, the Veteran's claim for eating disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis of an eating disorder.

An effective date of October 1, 2015 for a 70% disability rating for Major Depressive Disorder with anxious distress and agoraphobia is granted. The issue of an earlier effective date for TDIU remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and for an eye disability due to potential errors in obtaining relevant medical records.,Specifically, the Veteran's VA treatment records do not indicate that audiometric testing was performed, which is necessary to determine if a hearing loss disability exists. Additionally, no opinion regarding the relationship between any current eye disability and service participation in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) has been provided.

The Veteran's psychological disorder, characterized by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, is rated at 70 percent effective October 25, 2012. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a digestive disability, finding no evidence to support the Veteran's claims. The issue of readjudication of COPD and obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service or secondary to his service-connected TBI.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including depression, unspecified depressive disorder, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, is granted as service connected due to its onset during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for major depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder, and service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and muscle pain have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of these claims.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 30 percent, effective February 10, 2021. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms are consistent with a 30 percent rating for hiatal hernia under Diagnostic Code 7346. Prior to July 21, 2022, his TDIU claim was denied as he did not meet the schedular requirements.

The Board has remanded both claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran's claim for erectile dysfunction is being remanded because the AOJ failed to consider all pertinent symptomatology, including depressive and anxiety-based symptoms, in determining whether there was a nexus between his current disability and military service. For the psychiatric disorder claim, the Board found that the AOJ committed duty-to-assist errors by primarily focusing on PTSD at the expense of other diagnoses.

The Veteran's effective dates for various disability evaluations have been granted as of September 23, 2019. The claims were based on new evidence that reopened the service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder, but the criteria for TDIU have not been met prior to October 2, 2018. The case is remanded for further consideration.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. The claims for effective dates and SMC are not addressed as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleep disorder, and a headache disorder as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Veteran was granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent for his major depressive disorder with anxious distress with psychotic features, effective July 16, 2020.,Basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits was also granted.

The Veteran's 70% disability rating for panic disorder to include generalized anxiety and major depressive disorder was reduced to 30%. The Board restored the 70% rating as it found that improvement had not been maintained under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety and depressive disorder, combined with his left hand ring finger contracture, renders him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).