Depression Board decisions

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and drug and alcohol disorder are being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The claim for a temporary 100 percent evaluation under § 4.29 is also being remanded as it is intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for PTSD, service connection for depression, and individual unemployability have all been denied. The Board found that the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 10 percent, and his depression is not related to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a 100% rating for PTSD with MDD, as well as his entitlement to DEA benefits and TDIU, is granted effective December 14, 2009.

The Board has denied service connection for OSA and granted a 70 percent initial rating for unspecified depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder. The decision found that the Veteran did not have OSA at the time of the December 2019 rating decision, but her psychiatric disability caused deficiencies in most areas of her life.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (including depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder), and sleep apnea due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent prior to March 7, 2018 for PTSD with major depressive disorder was denied. The effective date for the TDIU and DEA benefits were also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion and further review is needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for other specified depressive disorder is denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain.

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depression Disorder is rated at 100 percent effective November 22, 2016. This rating is granted due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's service-connected muscle strain of upper, left trapezius is granted with a 10 percent evaluation effective September 13, 1999. The Veteran's MDD and TMJ dysfunction are also granted with respective evaluations.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and cannabis use disorder is rated at 70 percent effective March 5, 2018.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as service-connected. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and pigmentary retinal dystrophy are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inconsistencies in the VA examiner's statements regarding his diagnoses of Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, as well as whether these conditions are related to service-connected PTSD. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a May 10, 2020, Mental Health Outpatient Treatment Plan and arrange for a VA examination to address the above issues.

The Veteran's PTSD and headaches are rated at 70 percent from September 9, 2019, to October 26, 2022. The Veteran is granted a rating of 50 percent for his headaches and 30 percent for his dizziness. Service connection for hypertension is established as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's increased ratings for migraine headaches and persistent depressive disorder are denied as their symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasons and bases for denying the Veteran's claim, specifically regarding her PTSD diagnosis and MST allegations. The case will be returned to the RO for further examination and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's unspecified adjustment disorder, finding that it is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional VA examinations to determine if the Veteran's heart disability, hypertension, and major depressive disorder are related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and PTSD, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current symptoms and his military service.