Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of MDD was granted, but an earlier effective date prior to May 23, 2019, for the award of service connection for MDD is denied. The question of TDIU after August 4, 2020, is moot due to the grant of a 100 percent rating for Meniere's syndrome.

The Veteran's tinnitus and acquired psychiatric disorders of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder have been granted service connection as they are related to in-service noise exposure and psychological stressors, respectively.

The Veteran is granted an initial 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder, effective June 6, 2018.,The Veteran is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, effective June 6, 2018.

The Veteran's appeals for an effective date prior to October 24, 2018, and a higher initial rating for depressive disorder have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder and associated headaches render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for persistent depressive disorder and opioid use disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his in-service psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining private psychiatric treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding service connection for migraine headaches.

The Board denied service connection for depression and a disability other than generalized anxiety disorder with alcohol use disorder manifesting as sleep disturbances, finding no current diagnoses of these conditions in the record.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted an initial rating of 50 percent. The Veteran's hypertension is denied a higher than 10 percent rating. The Veteran's hallux valgus, left foot and right foot are both granted compensable ratings.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder and unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, finding an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders with panic attacks, as well as his cervical spine degenerative arthritis, are now rated at 70 percent effective May 5, 2015. The Board has granted an earlier effective date for the service connection of these conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeal as it found clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the assignment of the effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder, which was already granted.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including major depressive disorder and bilateral plantar fasciitis, have prevented him from securing and following gainful employment since January 5, 2021.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim is being returned for further development and consideration.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and other conditions. The decision is based on the Veteran's reported stressor of witnessing dead bodies during active duty in Japan.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD (previously rated as major depressive disorder) is dismissed because the issue was already decided in the legacy system and does not fall under the Appeals Modernization Act.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, MDD, adjustment disorder with mixed depression and anxiety, and anxiety disorder, is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that may affect the outcome.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in obtaining a complete VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder and anxiety disorder due to a lack of medical opinion regarding whether any pre-existing mental health disability existed prior to service entrance or worsened during service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.