Depression Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his major depressive disorder.

The Veteran is entitled to an effective date of November 19, 2019 for the grant of TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has found that there are outstanding VA treatment records and pre-decisional duty to assist errors regarding the Veteran's tinnitus claim. The claims for service connection for COPD, OSA, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and a low back condition are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to May 15, 2018. His Major Depressive Disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to provide an adequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric conditions. The Veteran is entitled to a VA examination to determine if his current diagnoses are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder is rated at 50 percent from September 21, 2020. The Board has granted an initial 50 percent rating for the condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart murmur has been dismissed.,Service connection is granted for unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's left knee strain and unspecified depressive disorder are granted as service-connected, with the latter being secondary to his now service-connected left knee strain.

The appeal regarding the timeliness of a May 2023 VA Form 10182 is dismissed because the Veteran's Motion for Extension of Time was granted, and the form was found to be timely.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is denied. The current effective date remains August 31, 2021.,The Veteran's initial rating request for MDD has been denied as his symptoms do not warrant a higher than 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder was denied. The issue of entitlement to a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder was granted with an effective date of May 26, 2009. The Board found that the Veteran had already manifested depression prior to filing her claim and thus the earlier effective date is appropriate.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acne, depression, dizziness, and memory loss were denied. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of these conditions during the appeal period.,Service connection could not be established as the evidence did not support a link between any of these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's PTSD and CFS were evaluated, with the Board finding that a higher rating was not warranted for either condition. The case was remanded for further evaluation of sleep apnea, ED, and CFS.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied due to his gainful employment during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including depression, adjustment disorder, and mood disorder, as secondary to his service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral plantar fasciitis, low back strain, and neurogenic bladder disabilities is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bladder cancer, but remanded the issues of secondary service connection for depression, anxiety and insomnia; hypertension; enlarged prostate; and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's depressive disorder (NOS) is rated at 10 percent prior to May 8, 2014, and at 50 percent from May 8, 2014, to January 5, 2020. From January 5, 2020, the Veteran's depressive disorder (NOS) is rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted in April 2020 with an effective date of February 21, 2018. The Board denied the request for an earlier effective date.