Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral feet frost bite has been granted due to new and relevant evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for neoplasm osteochondroma distal right femur and proximal right tibia has been granted due to new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for an earlier effective date prior to March 28, 2017, and for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for his service-connected mild neurocognitive disorder with depression.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 27, 2019, for service connection of PTSD was granted. The effective date is based on the receipt of his intent to file a claim within one year prior to the petition to reopen.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has granted a 50 percent rating. The issues of TDIU and a higher rating for back disability are remanded.

The Board has determined that there were pre-decisional errors and remands the case for further development, including seeking to corroborate in-service stressors and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was initially rated at 30 percent prior to February 18, 2015. From that date, the rating was increased to 70 percent.

The Veteran's headaches are rated as noncompensable, and his depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent prior to December 28, 2018, but no higher. From December 28, 2018 to April 21, 2022, the rating for his depressive disorder is denied.,The Veteran's headaches are rated as noncompensable and his depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent prior to December 28, 2018. From December 28, 2018 to April 21, 2022, the rating for his depressive disorder remains denied.,The Veteran's headaches are rated as noncompensable and his depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent prior to December 28, 2018. From December 28, 2018 to April 21, 2022, the rating for his depressive disorder remains denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection as it had its onset within one year of separation from service.,Service connection for low back strain is denied due to lack of a nexus between the current condition and in-service injury.

The Board dismissed the appeal for TDIU as the VA Form 10182 did not constitute a valid motion for reconsideration of the November 2023 Board decision.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent for the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder, but has remanded the claim for a total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability due to a service-connected disability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine his eligibility for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant based on his service-connected disabilities. The claims are also remanded to determine if his pansinusitis constitutes an inhalation injury.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including persistent depressive disorder and other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder. The diagnoses are based on evidence of personal assault (MST) during military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral flatfeet and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's pes planus was noted on entry, but there is uncertainty about whether it worsened during service. For the psychiatric claim, the Veteran had treatment for depression in service, and the Board finds that remand is needed to determine if his current condition is related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his service-connected disabilities and his current mood disorder with depression.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, specifically unspecified depressive disorder and PTSD. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a procedural error in failing to notify him of his right to a pre-decisional hearing before the AOJ issued its decision.

The Veteran's claims for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance were denied as the effective dates requested are not warranted under the applicable laws.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected other specified depressive disorder is denied. The Board also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual employability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted effective September 26, 2019. The initial rating of 70% is maintained. TDIU was also granted effective September 26, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date prior to December 22, 2018, for a 50 percent rating for PTSD with depressive disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence of worsening symptoms or occupational and social impairment warranting such a rating prior to December 22, 2018.