Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and a higher disability rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support awarding either an earlier effective date or a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from December 2019 to March 5, 2020. As of March 5, 2020, the Veteran received a combined total rating of 100%, making the TDIU issue moot.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as his employment within the year prior to filing the claim was not considered substantially gainful.,An earlier effective date of February 8, 2021 was granted for service connection for PTSD and recurrent MDD with anxious distress.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence in some cases.,The Veteran's depression is rated at 50 percent, but not higher.

The Veteran's ambulance transportation on September 23, 2020 was deemed necessary due to her intoxicated state and general pain. The Board found that the treatment met all criteria for reimbursement under VA guidelines.

The Veteran's claims for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities have been granted. The appeal is dismissed as these issues are no longer in dispute.,Right ear hearing loss was denied due to lack of audiometric findings meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection and increased rating for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress is dismissed as the claim was filed after a final decision became effective.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea syndrome as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease and depressive disorder. The decision also acknowledges that obesity may be an intermediate step between these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected depression is granted as secondary to his Parkinson's disease. The initial higher rating for balance impairment has been denied, and the appeal regarding a higher rating for Parkinson's disease with neurocognitive disorder, anxiety disorder, and unspecified insomnia remains pending.

The Veteran's right knee strain is granted as service-connected, and he is assigned a 10% rating.,His tinnitus disability has been rated at the maximum schedular rate of 10%, with no further increase possible under current criteria.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for Generalized Anxiety Disorder with persistent depressive disorder and other substance abuse (GAD) is denied. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to the AOJ failing to develop the Veteran's claim prior to issuing the June 2021 decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in stressor verification and failure to obtain relevant records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is now pending with the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination for service connection, particularly regarding anxiety and depression.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain missing records, including private treatment records and VistA Imaging documents. They must also seek clarification on the secondary theory of service connection and provide a comprehensive opinion regarding the etiology of OSA and any acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and alcohol use disorder, as secondary to his service-connected post-concussive headaches.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability was granted service connection effective July 27, 2012. The rating assigned is 70 percent.,The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms warranted a 70 percent rating for his psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with verifying in-service stressors and a need for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and an anxiety condition due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities are currently service connected but the RO must obtain a VA opinion to determine if they are caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.