Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need to determine if any of her conditions are associated with active duty or inactive duty training.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for unspecified depressive and anxiety disorder from March 17, 2019 to July 10, 2019 was granted. The Board has determined that a 70% rating is warranted during this period. However, the Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating after July 10, 2019 and his claims for service connection for sleep apnea and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder is service connected. The issue of her Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 14, 2012, for the grant of service connection for depressive disorder is granted. The claims for a higher evaluation for depressive disorder and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board granted an effective date of July 28, 2015, for the award of service connection for PTSD and denied claims for earlier effective dates for PFB and other issues.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and moderate substance abuse disorder in full sustained remission was denied as there is no evidence to support a finding that the criteria for establishing service connection had been met prior to October 5, 2015.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable. The VA has been remanded to obtain records from the Turning Point Rehab where the Veteran was hospitalized for a period exceeding 21 days due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's diagnosed major depressive disorder and other stressor/trauma related disorder are the result of in-service stressor events. The Veteran's claim for PTSD has not been sufficiently corroborated, so service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, anxiety, and bipolar due to insufficient evidence on file.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD.

The Board has determined that the June 2020 VA examiner's opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is not probative and requires further clarification. The Board also finds Dr. B V's opinion on whether CFS was aggravated by his service-connected conditions to be inadequate.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression and anxiety associated with multiple sclerosis (MS), bladder complications associated with MS, left upper extremity neuropathy associated with MS, right upper extremity neuropathy associated with MS, right lower extremity neuropathy associated with MS, and left lower extremity neuropathy associated with MS, result in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 50 percent for migraine headaches is denied. The claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for unspecified anxiety and depressive disorders from October 31, 2019, to June 26, 2020, is also denied. However, the Veteran's TDIU claim as of January 28, 2020, is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability, radiculopathy of lower extremities, neck disability and associated radiculopathy, sleep apnea, and psychiatric disability due to incomplete information.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder DJD and depression did not render him unemployable prior to June 4, 2008.

The Veteran's skin disorder and depressive disorder have been rated, with the skin disorder receiving a higher rating prior to December 14, 2023, but both conditions are denied for ratings in excess of their current levels.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating of 100% for the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability from December 30, 2010 to February 26, 2018. Additionally, SMC at the housebound rate is also granted during this period.

The Veteran's initial rating for unspecified depressive disorder has been granted at a 70 percent since December 31, 2014. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is also granted since the same date. The issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with psychotic features caused him to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his mental incapacity that required care or assistance on a regular basis to protect him from hazards or dangers incident in the daily environment. The Board granted SMC based on this.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted service connection as they were incurred during active service.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD and claimed as depression and anxiety, is also granted service connection as it was incurred during active service.