Depression Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder does not warrant a disability rating in excess of 20 percent, as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for migraines and depressive disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus. The decision is based on a finding of relative equipoise in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied service connection for major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of major depressive disorder was denied due to failure to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.,The Veteran's appeal for an increase in his bilateral hearing loss disability rating was denied as he refused to attend additional VA examinations without good cause.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of tinnitus was denied because the maximum schedular evaluation has been assigned, and no higher evaluation is warranted based on the current evidence.,Service connection for HIV was denied due to lack of a current disability. The weight of the persuasive evidence did not support finding that the Veteran had HIV.,Service connection for a left ankle disorder was denied as there was no evidence of a chronic left ankle disorder during service or within one year following discharge, and the claimant's statements were insufficient to establish nexus.

The Veteran's hearing loss and ringing in the ears do not meet VA disability criteria.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a TDIU from October 17, 2018 to March 26, 2019 and SMC at the housebound rate prior to March 26, 2019 due to insufficient evidence showing he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 50% rating for migraine headaches was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a 50% rating prior to February 28, 2019.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for major depressive disorder with anxious distress and unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder, panic disorder, and insomnia was productive of a disability picture consistent with a 70 percent rating from the date he filed his claim for service connection. As such, an earlier effective date of December 28, 2020 is granted for the grant of an increased 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, rated at 70 percent disabling since December 1, 2021, is sufficient to grant a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and statutory special monthly compensation (SMC) effective December 1, 2021.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to secure an adequate medical examination and review of his service records, as the current evidence does not provide sufficient information on the nature and etiology of his claimed psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease prior to February 10, 2023 was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 60 percent. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, was granted with an effective date of August 29, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claim for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including whether any pre-existing conditions were aggravated by service. The examiner must address all theories of entitlement raised by the evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating greater than 70 percent for their acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes mood disorder (also claimed as PTSD, depression, anxiety, sleep disorder, and anger), has been dismissed. The November 2020 Board decision implemented the increased rating of 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran should be afforded VA examinations to determine if his claimed disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for a scar on the right upper chest is denied as it does not meet the criteria under DC 7802.,The Veteran's service-connected MDD is currently rated at 30 percent and is denied an increased rating in excess of this level.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder was rated at 70% effective September 29, 2021. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms were severe enough to warrant a 70% rating one year prior to his claim for increase.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and major depressive disorder due to errors in identifying the appellant's periods of active duty and Reserve service, as well as potential aggravation of her right ankle during her Reserve service. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, particularly his anxiety and depression.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including a major depressive disorder, finding that there was no evidence of such condition during or within one year after service and that it is not related to service.