Depression Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine condition, lower left extremity sciatica, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety), erectile dysfunction, and hypertension. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during or are otherwise related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of various conditions are being remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder with anxious distress and other specified stress and trauma-related disorder, is granted as service connected. His alcohol use disorder is also granted as secondary to his service-connected depression. However, the Veteran's PTSD claim remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and entitlement to SMC(k) and TDIU are being remanded due to procedural errors. The case is also remanded for a VA examination to clarify the nature of her FSAD symptoms.

The appeal for an initial disability rating higher than 70 percent for a depressive disorder is dismissed as the Veteran's representative agreed that the current rating is appropriate.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination related to the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and adjustment disorder. The examiner should determine if these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and depressive disorder are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year following active service, nor are they related to service.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an ear condition. His complaints of left ear pain were noted in VA treatment records but no specific ear condition was diagnosed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder are being remanded due to errors in the AOJ's duty to assist.

The Veteran's claim for a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD is granted, effective November 15, 2005. The claim for TDIU is also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to in-service stressors involving actual serious injury and death of others due to hostile military activity in Iraq. Service connection for PTSD is granted, while the claims for tinnitus and major depressive disorder are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for a depressive disorder, finding that her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to August 16, 2022, for a 100% disability rating for major depression with anxious distress. The evidence did not show that his condition worsened within one year of the claim.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to March 4, 2018, for the award of service connection for PTSD and initial evaluations in excess of 50 percent prior to March 5, 2021, and in excess of 70 percent from March 5, 2021, for PTSD are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date was not addressed by the AOJ.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability from February 22, 2021, through February 22, 2022, and an earlier effective date of February 22, 2021, for the grant of eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Board has determined that the VA examination was inadequate and another remand is necessary to address the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment for the entire period on appeal, warranting a 100 percent rating.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received warranting readjudication of the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded to provide a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder is granted a 100% rating for the entire appeal period, effective from February 5, 2019. The initial evaluation for tinnitus remains at 10%, but an earlier effective date for TDIU benefits and Dependents' Education Assistance (DEA) is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The AOJ is required to verify the nature of the Veteran's National Guard service at the time of his reported stressors and attempt to research both claimed incidents.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with a 50% disability rating effective October 17, 2018. The decision is based on the merits of his case and not due to any new evidence or a change in law.