Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder have been rated at 70 percent since February 16, 2012. The Board found that the evidence supported a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus and right knee degenerative arthritis due to insufficient evidence. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether OSA is caused or aggravated by the service-connected unspecified depressive disorder. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine this relationship.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder with anxiety symptoms has been granted a 70 percent rating.,However, the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted with an effective date of October 21, 2016. The date entitlement arose is within one year prior to the initial application for a TDIU on June 4, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other mental health conditions was granted, effective from August 5, 2006. The Board also granted an earlier effective date of August 5, 2006, for the grant of service connection for PTSD. Additionally, the Board remanded the issues of TDIU prior to September 4, 2014 and DEA benefits prior to September 4, 2014.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and major depressive disorder is granted as his diagnosis of PTSD is related to an in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder present since August 2016, including whether it is related to service or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a left knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to outstanding medical records during his period of incarceration. The case will be further evaluated by VA examiners.

The Veteran's psychiatric and TBI disability resulted in total occupational and social impairment for the period prior to January 3, 2022. The Board granted a 100 percent disability rating for this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, are secondary to his service-connected tinnitus. The decision grants this claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors and insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors. The case will be reviewed again with a focus on verifying the reported stressors and obtaining a VA examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and mood disorder, is rated at 70 percent effective May 1, 2012. The decision also grants special monthly compensation (SMC) beginning January 20, 2014, for a single 100 percent rating with additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for further evaluation of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including whether it is related to his service-connected musculoskeletal conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to pre-decisional errors and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted and rated at 100 percent. The Veteran's Persistent Depressive Disorder with anxious distress and intermittent major depressive episodes is granted and rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for depression before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for unspecified depressive disorder with insomnia and traumatic brain injury associated with multiple sclerosis was denied. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher than 50 percent rating.

The Board has remanded four service connection issues on appeal due to errors in the duty to assist, including failing to secure earlier VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination for psychiatric disorders.

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