Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, requiring an addendum opinion from a VA psychologist regarding whether the Veteran's psychiatric disorders pre-existed service and were not aggravated by service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and will consider new evidence in determining if service connection for PTSD can be granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depression, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct or secondary service connection. The Veteran's STRs did not show any mental health issues during service and his current symptoms are not linked to his in-service stressor of influenza.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service-connected depressive disorder, as well as a need for additional VHA records.

The Veteran's remains were transported to the VA Medical Center for an autopsy due to his medical history and consent was provided by his spouse. The Board found that reimbursement for transportation costs is warranted based on applicable regulations.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is granted effective January 12, 2018. The effective date was determined based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disability was denied as he did not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU, and his psychiatric condition alone does not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD with comorbid unspecified depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and TBI is rated at a 70 percent disability rating from June 19, 2018 to September 3, 2019. The appeal for higher ratings was denied.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for her bipolar disorder and tinnitus evaluations have been dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress and alcohol and cannabis use disorders, finding that the evidence did not show an event or disease in service and no link to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness, apart from his service-connected autoimmune disorder was denied.,An effective date prior to July 31, 2014, for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted.,A 70 percent disability rating for service-connected major depressive disorder is granted starting from November 29, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression with anxiety disorder was granted, and an initial disability rating of 70% was assigned effective March 17, 2022. The attorney is eligible for direct payment of fees based on this decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disability, epigastric disability, right knee disability, skin disability, and depression as new and relevant evidence was not received to support these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, stress disorder, and adjustment disorder, finding no causal relationship between his current disability and his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea due to its complexity and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the VA did not make reasonable efforts to obtain treatment records from a therapist named S.C. and has therefore remanded for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and ADHD, finding that there is no evidence to support a relationship between his current psychiatric disabilities and his service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depressive disorder, claimed as bipolar disorder, has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the appeal process.