Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is characterized by symptoms such as depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, impaired impulse control, and difficulties in establishing effective social relationships. The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent prior to September 22, 2022 for this condition.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for two lower abdominal hernias, chronic headaches, coronary artery disease (CAD), and a mental health disorder to allow for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to issues with service connection and a disability rating.,Service connection is denied for right foot condition, left foot condition, and depressive disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate reasons or bases for denying service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's reports of in-service stressors and current symptoms are considered, but further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has denied earlier effective dates for TDIU, DEA, and SMC for housebound status. The claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is remanded to obtain a medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability. The effective date claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the evaluation issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of a claimed stressor and inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for scars under both eyes, painful scar under left eye, and painful left inguinal scar associated with TBI have been denied.,Prior to June 3, 2021, the Veteran's headaches were not productive of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks. After June 3, 2021, his headaches did not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected dermatitis is granted, with a current rating of 70 percent.,While the Veteran's MDD with PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since July 9, 2021, his appeal for an increased disability rating remains denied. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU based on service-connected MDD with PTSD and SMC at the housebound rate prior to October 22, 2020.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to military sexual trauma (MST) and service connection for this condition is granted. The lumbar spine disability claim is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, to include depression and PTSD, was denied for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent prior to April 12, 2018, but granted a 50 percent rating from that date. The appeal is remanded for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is related to his military service. The case will be further developed for a new opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted. The Board found that the evidence, including his statements and VA examination results, raised a reasonable possibility of establishing a current disability. Service connection was also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (adjustment disorder, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asthma, migraines, PTSD, and TBI-related conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment for the appeal period from May 14, 2018, to September 7, 2021, and from September 18, 2021, to September 7, 2022. Effective September 7, 2021, he is in receipt of a 100% combined schedular disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service-connected major depressive disorder. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability with TBI is granted a 100 percent evaluation, and the migraine headaches associated with this condition are granted a 50 percent evaluation. The separate compensable evaluation for the service-connected TBI is denied.

The Veteran's left foot disability and psychiatric disorders (PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder) were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, Persistent Depressive Disorder with Other Specified Anxiety Disorder, is now rated at 100% effective January 22, 2023. Prior to that date, the rating was 70%. The decision also denied an initial rating in excess of 70% prior to January 22, 2023.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated employment and income information, completing VA Forms 21-4192 with his employers, and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected hip disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD with persistent depressive disorder), and diabetes mellitus are all granted. The claim for hypertension is remanded.