Depression Board decisions

The Board has determined that there is new and relevant evidence to readjudicate the claim of service connection for PTSD. The case is remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, unspecified anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder due to a lack of medical nexus between his service and these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder caused his obesity, which in turn caused his obstructive sleep apnea. The Board granted service connection for OSA based on the opinion that obesity was a substantial factor causing OSA and would not have occurred without it.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for residuals of peptic ulcer disease and service connection for any acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to his service-connected residuals of peptic ulcer disease are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's son, B.G., was found to be permanently incapable of self-support prior to age 18 due to his mental health conditions and joint pain. The Board granted the Veteran's request for recognition as an adult dependent.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his major depressive disorder, PTSD, and alcohol use disorder was granted with an effective date of May 26, 2021. The Board found that the criteria for a 100% rating were met as of February 10, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for right elbow pain, left elbow pain, anxiety, depressive disorder, neck condition, and sleep disorder have been denied.,There is no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for MDD, migraines, residuals of a head injury, and scar were granted with effective dates starting from October 11, 2011. The Board denied earlier effective dates as there was no indication of an intent to file such claims prior to the filing date.,For migraines, residuals of a head injury, and scar, the Veteran's claims were filed on October 11, 2011, which is when service connection was granted. The Board found that earlier effective dates could not be assigned as there was no indication of an intent to file such claims prior to this date.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted a disability rating of 30 percent from June 15, 2020. Service connection for anxiety depression and adjustment disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of November 13, 2014. The Board found that the earlier effective date is not warranted as there were no formal or informal claims prior to this date.

The Veteran's initial 50 percent evaluation for major depressive disorder, recurrent episode, with psychotic features (psychiatric disability) is granted beginning February 11, 2003. An initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for psychiatric disability is denied throughout the appeal period. Beginning February 11, 2003, a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for MDD, recurrent mild with residuals of TBI and a rating in excess of 70 percent beginning February 12, 2019 has been denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) was dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent and to a compensable rating thereafter, for right knee instability, and entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left knee disability, and a left knee scar due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder with anxious distress. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran and finds that his current condition is related to his military service.

The appeal is dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal and due to administrative error, the appeal was docketed twice.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome have been granted. The TDIU claim is also granted, but the effective date for the right knee disability remains unchanged.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in not verifying the Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). The AOJ is required to make efforts to verify these dates.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD with depressive disorder and somatic symptom disorder, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board cannot issue a decision on this matter as it is no longer pending.