Depression Board decisions

The Board has granted effective dates of March 25, 2021 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus and other specified depressive disorder with anxious distress.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral knee patellofemoral pain syndrome have been granted service connection. The Board found new and relevant evidence to warrant readjudication of these claims.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been granted a 100 percent evaluation, reflecting total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for Meniere's disease, dizziness, sleep apnea, a sleep disorder, and depression due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is not service connected for any disability that could serve as a basis for secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder and insomnia, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's discharge was due to a service-connected disability, allowing him to receive the maximum rate of Chapter 33 educational assistance benefits (100%).

The Board has decided to remand the claims for anxiety, depression, and PTSD as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder and somatic symptom disorder, are granted service connection. Service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for unspecified depressive disorder to include opioid use disorder has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder has been granted a 70 percent disability rating from June 1, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a VA mental disorders examination to assess any acquired psychiatric disability and its relationship to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder and cocaine use disorder was granted, effective July 21, 2009. The decision is based on the correction of a CUE in an earlier administrative decision that incorrectly characterized his second period of active duty as dishonorable.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent from December 17, 2013. The effective date for this rating remains unchanged as the claim was denied prior to that date.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a 100 percent rating for acquired psychiatric disability, finding that it is not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's condition increased in severity within one year prior to November 14, 2019.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a 100 percent rating for acquired psychiatric disability, finding that it is not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's condition increased in severity within one year prior to his intent to file a claim.

The Veteran's TBI with unspecified anxiety disorder and depression is currently rated at 70 percent, effective October 18, 2012. The Board has determined that the current rating of 70 percent is the highest evaluation available for this condition.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis is caused by service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.,Service connection cannot be established for kidney disease as there is no evidence of its onset during or within one year following service. The Board finds the evidence does not support a finding that it was related to service.

For the period on review, the Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae was denied a compensable rating.,For the period on review, the Veteran's major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder were granted a 50% disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of depressive disorder due to a duty-to-assist error and an inadequate medical opinion. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for her right upper extremity scar was denied, while she was granted a total rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder.