Depression Board decisions

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection on all six issues due to the NOD not being timely filed.

The Board has remanded the case for further action on the issues of entitlement to an initial rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD and major depressive disorder, as well as entitlement to a TDIU effective date earlier than October 29, 2018.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent, which is the highest available.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder does not meet or approximate the criteria for a 100 percent disability rating. The closest match to his symptoms is a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran is granted earlier effective dates of March 28, 2019 for a 70% rating for PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder and a 20% rating for Lumbosacral Strain.,These ratings are based on the Veteran's service-connected conditions being manifested since her discharge from active service.

The Board dismissed the appeals as all claims were related to a deceased Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and her claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder was initially rated at 30%, but the RO later adjusted it to 50% effective June 23, 2016. The rating was then raised to 70% effective March 28, 2019.

Your service connection claim for PTSD with depression has been fully granted. The appeal is dismissed as there are no remaining issues to review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with major depression and alcohol use disorder was initially denied in November 2007. After receiving additional relevant service treatment and personnel records, the effective date of this grant has been changed to April 27, 2007.

The Board has granted service connection for multilevel disc degeneration and disc protrusions of the cervical spine, bilateral shoulder DJD, tinea cruris, tinea pedis, and persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress. The decision is based on credible lay evidence that these conditions began during or are related to active duty service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia. The decision is based on a finding of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claims for PTSD with major depressive disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus due to potential errors in obtaining relevant private treatment records and inadequate attempts at corroborating claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for a 70 percent rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and cannabis use disorder, as well as her claims for TDIU and DEA benefits, are granted effective July 12, 2019.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent, and the Board has granted a higher rating to 70 percent.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating of 100 percent for the period from June 25, 2016, through December 31, 2016, due to hospital treatment for service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran was also granted a disability rating of 100 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder and unspecified cannabis use disorder starting from January 1, 2017.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including insomnia disorder and unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, warrants a 70 percent initial disability rating from June 1, 2020 to August 23, 2021.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding entitlement to service connection for lung nodule. The Veteran's claims of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and major depressive disorder) were granted.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder with psychotic features.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder with anxious distress, finding that her current condition is not related to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right shoulder impingement, left shoulder injury/impingement, residuals of left tibia and fibula fracture with left knee degenerative arthritis, and hiatal hernia with GERD.