Depression Board decisions

The Board has granted the appellant's claims for service connection for PTSD, GAD and panic disorder without agoraphobia, MDD, and AUD. The appeal regarding sleep disturbances is denied as there are no other non-substance-use related disorders that have been diagnosed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, and a VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's PTSD and related conditions have been rated at 50 percent since January 7, 2019. The Board has remanded the case for further evaluation due to new evidence or changes in circumstances.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder (claimed as PTSD). Additionally, the Board has also granted SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ due to the Veteran's service-connected disability. The decision is subject to the laws and regulations governing monetary awards.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to October 4, 2017, for the award of a 100 percent rating for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is dismissed.,An initial compensable rating for scar as residual of anal fissure is denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for anal fissure scar prior to October 20, 2011, is also denied.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, as the VA examiner's opinion relied on recent mental health treatment records and ignored other diagnoses.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error and needs further examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service, including fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Basic Eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).,The Board denied both claims, finding that the earliest effective dates were September 26, 2019.

The Board has restored service connection for PTSD with panic attacks and unspecified depressive disorder, finding that the original grant was due to clear and unmistakable error.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder, vertigo, and tinnitus are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in the VA examination report. The PACT Act is applicable as the Veteran served in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's hypertension, migraine headaches, and psychiatric disability have been granted increased ratings. Service connection for a right ankle condition has also been established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and major depressive disorder. The reasons include a need for a VA examination to determine if there is a causal relationship between any current acquired psychiatric disability and in-service events or injuries, as well as a need to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors.

The Veteran's annual VA clothing allowance for the HG80 hinged knee brace is granted. However, his claim for an annual VA clothing allowance due to use of hydrophilic and menthol topical creams is denied.

The Veteran's effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is granted as March 9, 2020. The Board found the Veteran was permanently and totally disabled on that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, and/or schizophrenia with other psychotic disorder; and obstructive sleep apnea due to a pre-existing condition. The Veteran's right shoulder disability claim is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as determined by the VA. The Board granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service connection claim for unspecified depressive disorder as secondary to tinnitus is granted, and his initial rating for tinnitus is maintained at 10 percent.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher disability rating for Major Depressive Disorder was denied. However, he was granted a 70% disability rating effective October 14, 2021 and TDIU status from January 30, 2018.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected psychiatric disorder and hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease, but an addendum opinion is needed to address whether weight gain/obesity caused by these conditions also contributed to the development of OSA.