Depression Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, finding that the Veteran does not have a current disability and there is no link to service.

The Board has determined that the AOJ did not provide a proper medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and thus remands the case for further development.

The Veteran's appeal regarding severing service connection for persistent depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder due to a clear and unmistakable error in the 2019 rating decision is dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the service connection for PTSD, depression, and/or anxiety before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for mental, anxiety and depression (claimed as secondary to a service-connected disability) and coronary artery disease (claimed as heart attack). The issues are related to whether these conditions are related to active service or to his service-connected disabilities of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,The Board also found that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is not related to service, despite evidence showing he had chest pain during service. The examiner was instructed to consider this information in their review.

The Veteran's 100 percent disability rating for PTSD with depressive disorder has been restored to 70 percent effective September 1, 2021.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for GERD, a psychiatric disorder other than insomnia, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. A new examination is required in each case.

The Veteran's claims for depression and sleeplessness, both secondary to service-connected tinnitus, have been denied. The claim for anxiety is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset in service or post-service incident.,The Veteran's vertigo claim related to his service-connected tinnitus has also been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder unspecified, and unspecified depressive disorder as these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD with persistent depressive disorder was rated at 50 percent prior to February 6, 2020 and granted a 70 percent rating from that date forward.

The Veteran's sinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea claims have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted secondary to the service-connected lumbar spine disability, while depressive disorder has been granted as secondary to other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, and his tinnitus has been granted service connection. The left eye condition and PDD are both remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a pre-decisional error in not having a medical opinion regarding whether his service-connected disabilities result in loss of use of one or both feet, or ankylosis of one or both knees or hips. The Board finds the claim should be reconsidered with further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including persistent depressive disorder, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his unspecified depressive disorder has been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of February 12, 2019 for the grant of a 40 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for unspecified depressive disorder, and service connection for a migraine including migraine variants. The Veteran's basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) is also granted with this effective date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, back disability, ulcer, and acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, anxiety, and depression due to lack of new and relevant evidence. The Veteran's claim for service connection is not granted as there is no evidence that his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the lack of VA treatment records from a Vet Center, which may contain relevant information for his claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 70 or 100 percent rating.,PTSD does not result in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The Veteran has no more than two painful or unstable scars on his scalp.