Depression Board decisions

The Veteran was granted a TDIU based on bilateral knee disabilities alone from September 14, 2018 to June 25, 2019.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is rated at 70% and his combined rating is 90%, meeting the schedular requirements for a TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and additional development is needed, including obtaining VA examinations for psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, unspecified personality disorder with histrionic and borderline traits, and major depressive disorder have all been denied as there is no verified in-service stressor for PTSD, the diagnosis of a personality disorder does not meet VA compensation criteria, and the depression and anxiety symptoms are considered part of the pre-existing personality disorder.,The Veteran's service treatment records indicate he was diagnosed with a hysterical personality disorder during service. The Board found that his current unspecified personality disorder is less likely than not caused by or related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for depression, insomnia, and anxiety disorder due to a lack of an examination or medical opinion addressing these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial disability rating of major depressive disorder from April 7, 2015 have been granted. The Veteran is now rated at 100% for major depressive disorder as of that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of August 17, 2020, for his award of a 100 percent disability rating for unspecified depressive disorder (previously adjustment disorder with depressed mood) claimed as depression and anxiety. The effective date is based on the fact that the increase in disability occurred after the date of claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder was granted with an effective date of July 16, 2011. The Board found that the new and material evidence submitted in June 2013 allowed for a reconsideration of her earlier filed claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's MDD with GAD is rated at 70 percent disabling effective April 25, 2019. The claim for an earlier effective date was denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, is rated at a 70 percent disability level for the entire appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of any currently present acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The Veteran's service records indicate he was stationed in Saudi Arabia during a time when his base came under attack from scud missiles.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with TBI is rated at 70 percent since September 23, 2013. The effective date for this rating remains pending as it was not specified in the decision.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, along with other recurrent depressive disorder, is granted as service-connected. The claim is based on direct evidence from service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error regarding service connection for PTSD and MDD. The examiner's opinion is inadequate as it did not consider all potential marker evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent for the entire appeal period, but his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board finds that he does not have total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is etiologically related to service and is secondary to his service-connected depressive disorder, lumbosacral strain, bilateral knee degenerative joint disease patellofemoral syndrome, right shoulder sprain, plantar fascitis, pes planus, and hallux valgus with degenerative changes.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to his service-connected back disability.,The Veteran's ED is granted as secondary to his service-connected depression and the medications used to treat it.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (major depressive disorder, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and left knee condition) prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since he last worked full time in May 2016. The Board finds that his TDIU claim is granted since October 31, 2017.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reconsider his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety. The claim for service connection for hypertension remains denied as there is no new and relevant evidence received.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, effective June 26, 2018. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The case is being remanded for further development and consideration of the TDIU claim.