Depression Board decisions

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided insufficient information to determine if any psychiatric disorder preexisted service or is related to service. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claims for traumatic brain injury, depression on a secondary basis, and PTSD on a secondary basis are all granted. The rating for seizures is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as his claims for bilateral hip conditions and lower extremity radiculopathy are all granted. The effective date is set at June 22, 2018.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, as his major depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current diagnosis and in-service stressors.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, with obesity serving as an intermediary step.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the adequacy of the VA examination report and to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as the highest schedular rating (100%) for PTSD has been granted, making a TDIU moot. The earlier effective date of August 29, 2018 for DEA eligibility is granted.

The Veteran's rating for unspecified depressive disorder was reduced from 70% to 50%, but the December 2020 decision restored it back to 70%. The issue of service connection for bipolar disorder as secondary to unspecified depressive disorder is referred to the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the claims due to a failure to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records, which were not considered in the previous rating decision. The SSA records are required for further review.

The Veteran's appeal is granted for an increased initial disability rating of 70 percent for a psychiatric disorder, effective August 14, 2020. The issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction and migraine headaches are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's depressive disorder has been found to cause occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total impairment. The rating for the right knee disability remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, MDD, and Major Neurocognitive Disorder as the evidence did not meet the criteria for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor and for a VA examination to address the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder. The issues of direct service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder, as well as secondary service connection for major depressive disorder, are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and an addendum opinion. The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, but his lumbar spine condition is rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD with alcohol use disorder and depression is granted as his diagnoses are related to an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's earlier effective date for a 100% rating for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and other substance-related disorder is granted. The cervical spine disability claim is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for various disabilities have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, finding that there is no probative evidence of a current diagnosis of such disorders.

The Veteran is granted TDIU from March 6, 2017 to March 19, 2021 due to service-connected disabilities. He is also granted SMC based on aid and attendance.