Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further review due to conflicting medical opinions and need for additional verification of in-service stressor. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including MDD and PTSD, are being evaluated.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, due to MST. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service stressors or a link between current symptoms and any such events.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient explanation of why it found the Veteran's reports of his work as a medical specialist unbelievable. The Veteran is requested to undergo a VA examination for MDD and other acquired psychiatric disorders, including whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, is granted. Additionally, the Veteran's increased rating claim for urinary tract infection with cystitis is granted at a 60 percent disability rating effective June 26, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected TBI has been granted a separate 10% rating for aphasia with dizziness, and the original non-compensable rating for TBI is maintained. The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 50% since December 17, 2019.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, but not higher, due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD, including anxiety and depression. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an addendum VA opinion to clarify these diagnoses and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his right shoulder strain is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disability, left foot disability, and an acquired psychological disability to include depression due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting a VA examination. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include PTSD, major depressive disorder, cervical strain, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with thoracic scoliosis, hemorrhoids, left knee strain, tinnitus, painful left foot scar, degenerative joint disease of the left foot with hallux valgus, Crohn's disease status post colectomy, and a right leg condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified anxiety disorder and depression. The VA needs to provide a new opinion addressing the Veteran's reports of in-service assault and his use of drugs and alcohol during service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder must be remanded due to outdated medical records and the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder and TBI, as well as his initial rating for tension headaches, was denied. The appeal is remanded for further action on the issue of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from May 4, 2016, to July 24, 2017, is dismissed as moot because he was already receiving a 100% disability rating for PTSD. The SMC claim prior to July 25, 2017, is also dismissed due to the Veteran's other service-connected disabilities not meeting the required criteria.

The Veteran's Bipolar I Disorder was rated at 70 percent effective July 14, 2018. The initial rating for unspecified anxiety and depressive disorders prior to this date remains pending.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, due to military sexual trauma (MST), finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to MST during active duty. The Board also found significant factual evidence indicating other causes for her symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder is rated at 70% for the period from September 21, 2017. A separate rating of 20% is granted for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, tinnitus, residuals of a ganglion scar, sarcoidosis, and headaches, precluded him from securing substantially gainful employment prior to October 11, 2016. As such, TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and secondary alcohol use disorder, has been reopened. The Board found new and material evidence to support the claim and granted service connection.