Depression Board decisions

The Veteran is granted a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss, effective June 26, 2013.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for depressive disorder was granted with an initial rating of 30 percent effective August 1, 2011. The Veteran is also granted TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for hemorrhoids, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and a depressive disorder). The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 70 percent for unspecified depressive disorder was granted. The issue of total disability due to individual unemployability is being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to his service-connected major depressive disorder has been granted, as the evidence shows that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for major depressive disorder has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and duty-to-assist errors, requiring a new VA examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran is granted entitlement to educational assistance benefits under Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill) at the 100 percent rate due to his honorable discharge from service due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's effective date for a 50 percent rating for migraine headaches is set at January 11, 2021.,An earlier effective date of January 11, 2021, but not earlier, has been granted for the Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed depression and anxious mood.

The Board has remanded the claims for TDIU and DEA benefits due to a lack of consideration of extraschedular TDIU prior to March 21, 2012. The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unemployable since at least September 2011.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's PTSD rating from 70% to 50% is proper, effective January 14, 2021. The decision denies the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an adequate nexus opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder. A new examination is required to address whether any diagnosed condition is at least as likely as not incurred in or otherwise related to his active service.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is granted an increased rating to 20 percent. The service connection claims for a left hand disability and a right hand disability are dismissed due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to major depressive disorder has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, finding that there is no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disability during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including tinnitus, depression, anxiety disorder, psychosis, insomnia, PTSD, left shin splints, right shin splints, and sleep apnea are granted. The claims for bilateral pes planus, endocervicitis, gastritis, GERD, irritable bowel syndrome, otitis media, and eye infection remain denied.

The Veteran's PDD with insomnia is granted effective March 21, 2017. The earlier effective date for service connection is also granted.,For the period prior to March 5, 2021, a disability rating of 30 percent is granted for PDD with insomnia.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with MDD was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 30, 2018, for the grant of a TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, specifically unspecified depressive disorder with cocaine, cannabis, and alcohol use disorder, is rated at 70 percent for the entire period on appeal. The Board also granted entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension due to a failure to obtain adequate etiology opinions. The Veteran is to be afforded VA examinations to determine if his current diagnoses are related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, PTSD, and memory disorder, are related to his service-connected left eye disability.