Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of insomnia as secondary to PTSD, increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder without psychotic features, and SMC based on housebound criteria being met was denied. The Appellant is not eligible for direct payment of attorney fees.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder (dysthymic disorder) was evaluated at a 30 percent rating throughout the period on appeal, and this decision denies an evaluation in excess of that.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation throughout the period on appeal, and thus granted his TDIU claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient nexus opinions regarding service connection for depression, including secondary service connection related to migraine headaches. The VA RO is required to obtain private treatment records and provide adequate opinions on causation and aggravation.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since January 17, 2024. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates, higher initial ratings, and service connection were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran. The Veteran was granted service connection for other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorder with a 50% rating as secondary to depression.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of adequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating since May 24, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent disabling, and she now receives a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for the purpose of establishing eligibility to treatment and denied claims for PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's disability rating for his psychiatric disorder was reduced from 70 percent to 30 percent. The Board has restored the original 70 percent rating due to a lack of evidence showing improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than persistent depressive disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded due to incomplete VA examination and insufficient private opinions. A new VA examination with a psychiatrist or psychologist is needed.

The Board has found clear and unmistakable error in the February 2012 rating decision that denied service connection for depression, leading to a grant of service connection with an effective date of June 1, 2011. The appeal regarding the earlier effective date is dismissed as moot due to the finding of CUE.

The Veteran has submitted new and relevant evidence that tends to prove or disprove a matter at issue regarding service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to migraine headaches. The claim is remanded for initial readjudication on the merits.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for COPD, emphysema, and major depressive disorder due to duty-to-assist errors and inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder does not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for psychiatric disability is denied, and the claim of entitlement to a TDIU is remanded due to pre-decisional errors.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating to 100% for PTSD, with unspecified depressive disorder, anxiety disorder and alcohol use disorder is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30% for migraine headaches is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, finding that these conditions are due to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and hearing loss.