Depression Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for unspecified anxiety disorder and service connection for major depressive disorder, recurrent severe without psychotic features due to untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement (NOD).

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for PTSD and major depressive disorder due to insufficient medical evidence, including VA treatment records that show diagnoses of mental health conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder, to include depression) is evaluated at a 70 percent rating. The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 70 percent as the evidence did not show total social or occupational impairment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, panic disorder, insomnia, and other impulse disorder, are related to service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on housebound status, as he is able to leave his home for medical appointments and grocery shopping.

The Board has denied service connection for depression, anxiety, erectile dysfunction, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis as there is no probative medical evidence that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal seeking an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for schizophrenia unspecified is dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn their appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and high blood pressure have been denied. The Board has also remanded the claim of entitlement to a TDIU.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran's current diagnoses of depression and high blood pressure to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal seeking an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and an effective date earlier than January 30, 2019, for the award of service connection for PTSD has been dismissed.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxious distress is rated at 30 percent from May 3, 2019 to April 11, 2020. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as they were not severe enough to interfere with occupational and social functioning or require continuous medication.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent from September 22, 2006. The Veteran is seeking a higher rating.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and PTSD) is rated at 30 percent from March 26, 2007. The Veteran is seeking a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors and regulatory requirements under the PACT Act. The Veteran's mental health, lumbar spine, and sleep apnea conditions are being reviewed.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is granted a rating of 20 percent, PTSD, MDD, and GAD are granted service connection, and sleep apnea is also granted. The right leg (knee), neck, and right ankle disorders remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for service-connected anxiety disorder was dismissed due to her withdrawal of the claim during a hearing. The TDIU claim was also denied as there is no evidence showing she is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and requires a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, is related to service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The appeal for service connection of mental health conditions including PTSD, depression, and anxiety is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date earlier than March 19, 2015 for the award of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision found that no evidence or argument was presented to support a claim prior to March 19, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected recurrent major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, while his service-connected hemorrhoids remain noncompensable.

The Board has determined that the VA Form 9 was timely filed in response to the March 27, 2017 Statement of the Case and therefore reinstates the underlying appeal for service connection.