Depression Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased evaluations and earlier effective dates for various conditions, including other specified anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder, chronic right shoulder (dominant), intercostal strain, mid thoracic muscular strain, muscle injury (left muscles of respiration), muscle injury (muscles of left side and back of the neck), and muscle injury (thoracic spinal muscles).

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and issues related to service connection for PTSD due to military sexual trauma (MST). The Veteran's correct contact information needs to be verified, and a VA examination is required to determine if an in-service stressor event occurred and whether the Veteran currently has PTSD as a result of such event.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the November 2018 VA examination and opinion, requiring a new examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The reduction in disability rating for persistent depressive disorder from 50% to 30% is not supported by the weight of evidence and a 50% disability rating is restored.,An effective date earlier than June 27, 2017, for the grant of service connection for persistent depressive disorder is denied.,Service connection for a low back disorder is granted.,Service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to a low back disorder is granted.,Initial rating in excess of 50% for persistent depressive disorder prior to April 3, 2023, and in excess of 70% thereafter is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for hypertension is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for migraines is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disorder is remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection due to MST and granted service connection for PTSD, MDD, and AUD. The evidence provided by the Veteran, her husband, and a friend was found credible and corroborated the Veteran's account of sexual assault during service.

The Board has found that further development is needed, including scheduling a VA mental disorders examination and obtaining updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to fibromyalgia remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, is related to his service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder prevents him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder has caused significant occupational impairment throughout the period on appeal, leading to a TDIU for that period. However, from September 15, 2021 onward, his condition is rated at 100% and renders moot any further claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and SMC have been remanded due to the submission of a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) under the legacy system, which has now been accepted by the Board.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, obesity, and potential toxic exposure risk activities.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for any acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, is granted. The Board finds new and relevant evidence has been submitted since the August 2019 rating decision, which includes additional CAPRI treatment records and the Veteran's testimony at the hearing. As a result, the claim is remanded for readjudication.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including GAD and persistent depressive disorder. The decision is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error regarding bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claim due to a duty to assist error and will need to clarify the Veteran's mental health diagnoses and determine if any current acquired psychiatric disorder is superimposed on a previously-diagnosed personality disorder.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 24, 2010 for the award of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claim was reopened due to new and material evidence submitted within one year of the July 2011 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and their relation to service, specifically military sexual trauma (MST).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety, depression, erectile dysfunction (secondary to anxiety and depression), hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (secondary to diabetes). The evidence does not show a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 8, 2019, for the award of service connection for PTSD and depression is denied. The appeal for a higher initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and depression is also denied.