Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence, including missing medical records and a lack of VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being reviewed again.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 26, 2019 for the award of a 100 percent evaluation for major depressive disorder with dysthymic disorder. This decision is based on evidence showing that there was a factually ascertainable increase in severity within one year prior to the receipt of the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of unspecified depressive disorder is granted, with an effective date set at December 1, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding secondary service connection for OSA. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with new VA opinions addressing whether his current OSA would exist without his service-connected conditions and if it would be less severe.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and insomnia, is being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The Board will attempt to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors and schedule him for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for knee disorder, manifested by weakness and left shoulder disorder, manifested by loss of motion. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety, depression, and PTSD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for eye disease injury with floaters was denied because the VA treatment did not cause his condition.,The earlier effective date claim for generalized anxiety with depression NOS was dismissed as the Veteran did not identify a specific rating decision to appeal.

The rating reduction from 30% to 10% for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress was proper, and the Veteran is now rated at 10%. The effective date of this change is November 1, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 70 percent for service-connected depression is granted, effective July 2, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 5, 2021. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is also established.

Your claim for an earlier effective date of May 7, 2018, for a 50 percent evaluation for your acquired psychiatric disorder is dismissed as the matter has already been resolved with you receiving the maximum possible benefit.

The Board has determined that the VA opinions are inadequate and remands the case for further examination and opinion to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for his claimed acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates and increased ratings has been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's claims for service connection for various psychiatric disorders are now recharacterized as an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective July 17, 2023. The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection and rating increases are granted but no earlier than the dates specified.

Service connection is granted for PTSD. The claims of service connection for social adjustment disorder with anger issues, depression, insomnia, and anxiety are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's sleep apnea disorder as secondary to his service-connected insomnia disorder, MDD with anxiety, migraine headaches, and tinnitus. The decision also acknowledges that the Veteran's opioid medication taken for bilateral shoulder disorders may have contributed to his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder, are granted as service connected.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder, anxiety, and depression, is found to have its onset in service. High blood pressure is not related to his active-duty service.