Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,Service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety) is denied.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis due to burn pit exposure and remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension as secondary to a service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, which was previously diagnosed during service. The case will be reviewed for a new opinion on the etiology of the condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in pre-decisional duty to assist and for additional evidence to be considered. The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, anxiety and depression, and bilateral hearing loss are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, specifically PTSD and related disorders. The case is now pending for further review by a new examiner.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating greater than 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, and traumatic brain injury with memory loss is denied. The appeal for a right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome rating in excess of 10 percent is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder have been rated at 70 percent effective September 18, 2019. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms that cause occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service connection claim for depression is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his depression is secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus. The Board also denied the Veteran's TDIU claim due to his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation despite his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and requires a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

The Veteran's disability rating for insomnia disorder with generalized anxiety disorder and features of depression was restored to 50 percent effective October 19, 2021. A 70 percent rating was granted for the period from November 10, 2020, to April 1, 2022. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating since April 2, 2022, is denied. An effective date of November 10, 2020, was granted for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate, with anxious distress, anxiety, insomnia, bipolar disorder, and adjustment disorder with depression. The claim is based on the Veteran's in-service symptoms and post-service treatment records.

The Veteran's other specified depressive disorder is not entitled to an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to December 6, 2016, and in excess of 70 percent from that date.

The Veteran's MDD, a service-connected condition, is rated at 70 percent for the entire appeal period. The disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria for a 70 percent rating due to deficiencies in work capacity, family relations, and mood.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service.

New and relevant evidence has been submitted to readjudicate the claim for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, PTSD, and depression is denied.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for the Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 2, 2021, for service connection of PTSD and depression was granted. The earliest the effective date can be is June 30, 2011, when the Veteran initially filed her application.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating. The Veteran also sought TDIU based on his PTSD, but the Board found that he was not totally unemployable.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed because he is already receiving a total schedular rating for his service-connected disabilities, and no single disability alone establishes unemployability.