Depression Board decisions

The Board has denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD.

Anxiety and depression are now rated at 70 percent effective October 8, 2018.,Tinea versicolor remains rated at 30 percent effective October 8, 2018.,Headaches or migraines are now rated at 50 percent effective October 8, 2018.,Residuals of TBI are now rated at 10 percent effective October 8, 2018.,Orthostatic hypotension is now rated at 30 percent effective October 8, 2018.

The Veteran's mental health conditions, including PTSD, major depression, and anxiety disorder, are currently diagnosed. The Board finds that the evidence does not establish a clear link between these conditions and service, necessitating further examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% disability rating for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder/depression, alcohol use disorder, and gambling disorder effective December 1, 2021.

The Veteran was granted a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from October 12, 2016. She is also receiving special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status since that date.,The appeal for TDIU prior to October 12, 2016, has been referred for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of all psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, anxiety disorder, alcohol use disorder, and adjustment disorder. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran is granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities and depressive disorder with neurocognitive disorder. The higher SMC rate pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r) remains pending as its application is unclear.

The Board has granted service connection for right leg varicose veins, generalized anxiety disorder (previously claimed as anxiety/depression), and lumbosacral strain with effective dates of June 29, 2020.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and earlier effective dates have been granted, with the awards of lumbosacral strain, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, allergic rhinitis, tinnitus, nephrolithiasis, and major depressive disorder being effective September 15, 2017. The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for major depressive disorder was denied.

The Board has determined that there was a failure to obtain an adequate medical opinion on the appellant's claimed acquired psychiatric condition, and thus remanded for further action.

The Board has reviewed the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and obstructive sleep apnea, but finds that new and relevant evidence has not been submitted to warrant readjudication.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder, finding that there was no evidence showing a direct link between his current diagnosis and service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, is related to his military service and has been granted service connection. The TDIU claim is also remanded for further consideration.

The Board denied an initial rating higher than 50 percent for the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with alcohol abuse is currently rated at 30 percent, which reflects the severity of his symptoms resulting in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, specifically whether it is secondary to a service-connected disability or caused by obesity. The examiner must provide opinions on both causation and aggravation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is secondary to his service-connected tinnitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for esophageal cancer, laryngeal cancer, pharyngeal cancer, and depression and anger secondary to throat disability is granted due to the Board finding good cause for the delay in filing a timely Form 9.