Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia with memory loss, anxiety, and depression, was granted service connection based on continuity of symptomatology since service. The VA examiner linked the onset to his in-service experiences.,The Veteran's claim for TBI/Residuals of TBI was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or residuals associated with such.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected mental health conditions, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's somatic symptom and unspecified depressive disorder is granted with a 50% initial rating.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current Major Depressive Disorder is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for depression associated with tinnitus was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment.,Service connection for hypertension, a disease deemed presumptively service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, was granted under the PACT Act.

The Board has determined that the appellant's depressive disorder symptoms more closely approximate a 50 percent disability rating, which is the current assigned rating. The evidence does not support an increase to a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in obtaining the Veteran's Social Security Administration (SSA) records and for an addendum opinion regarding his acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD, MDD, and alcohol use disorder are found to be at least as likely as not due to in-service stressors. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to new and relevant evidence received, including a VA examination and private treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being readjudicated as part of his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder. However, there are uncertainties regarding the dates of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA, which need to be verified.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate claims are both granted due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation for minimal spondylosis T10 to T12 was dismissed. The Board also remanded the claims of earlier effective dates for major depressive disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder; total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU); special monthly compensation based on housebound status; and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 USC chapter 35.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently assigned a noncompensable rating, and the claim for a compensable evaluation is denied.,There is no evidence of a current left hip disability during or approximate to the period on appeal. The claim for service connection for a left hip condition is denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder with alcohol dependency is remanded as there was no specific assertion of PTSD and VA examination is needed to clarify the nature and etiology of the claimed psychiatric disorder, including whether it is secondary to or caused by a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is remanded due to his assertion that it is secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder. Service connection for diabetes mellitus (to include as secondary to hypertension) is also remanded based on the Veteran's assertion of its secondary relationship to hypertension.,Right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy are remanded as they are claimed to be secondary to diabetes mellitus, which is itself a claim that requires further development.,The Veteran's right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy claims are remanded based on the same reasoning as his diabetes mellitus claim.

The Veteran is granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis from April 18, 2009 to September 20, 2010 and earlier effective date for DEA benefits of April 18, 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to May 2, 2016. The evidence did not show that there was an increase in disability during the one-year period before the date of the Veteran's claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is caused by his service-connected PTSD and depression, and the Board has granted service connection for OSA on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection and a compensable rating of 10% from June 15, 2020. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) is denied. The Veteran receives a compensable rating of 10% for her headache condition since June 15, 2020. A compensable rating for sinusitis and right ring finger avulsion injury is not granted. The umbilical hernia condition is resolved.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a deviated septum and an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for migraines. The claim for PTSD with major depressive disorder and panic disorder was granted, but only at a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral ankle and leg blister disorder, and scrotal blister disorder with tinea pedis have been granted increased disability ratings. The psychiatric disorder is rated at 70 percent since May 11, 2020; the ankle and leg blister disorder is rated at 10 percent prior to April 8, 2021, and 10 percent thereafter; and the scrotal blister disorder with tinea pedis are both rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of his major depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted from October 25, 2013. The effective date is set based on the date when the Veteran submitted an informal claim for benefits.