Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for left shoulder arthritis was denied as the evidence did not show motion limited to 25 degrees from the side.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70% for depressive disorder with insomnia prior to December 15, 2022, was also denied. The Board found that his symptoms were compensated by a 70% rating and did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) for need of aid and attendance was granted due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities requiring the aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bladder disability has been dismissed. For the period on appeal, his psychiatric disability is rated at 70 percent.,TMJ and hypertension have been remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disability, left ankle disability, chest pain, and right hand disability due to unresolved issues. The psychiatric disorder claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's lumbosacral strain. The TDIU claim is also pending and will be considered in conjunction with the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder was reduced from a 100% rating to a 70% rating, which was found to be improper. The 100% rating for major depressive disorder is restored effective December 1, 2019.

The Veteran's service connection claim for depression has been denied.,An initial rating in excess of 30 percent for insomnia disorder is also denied, with the case being remanded to consider additional issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder is caused by his service-connected disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has decided to remand them due to insufficient evidence regarding in-service stressors and medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability is denied due to failure to report for a required VA examination. The Board has also remanded the claims for service connection, TDIU, and anxiety (other than PTSD, major depressive and panic disorders).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for consideration of whether a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is warranted on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 30, 2010 for the award of service connection for major depressive disorder. This decision is based on a prior informal claim submitted by the Veteran.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU, finding that the Veteran did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to December 11, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder with anxious distress was granted on February 24, 2017. The effective date of this grant is set as February 24, 2017.,A 70 percent rating has been granted for the Veteran's depressive disorder with anxious distress since February 24, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder has rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and he is granted a TDIU.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and depression, based on a finding that his current psychiatric symptoms are related to his active-duty service involving an airplane engine fire during emergency landing.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty-to-assist error, and will consider all evidence submitted by the Veteran or her representative.

The Veteran's bilateral knee conditions, including degenerative arthritis and meniscal tears, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety), and residuals of a heat stroke are all remanded for further review.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety. The Board found no current disability of PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disorder, and concluded that any such disabilities are not related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for asthma and remanded the claims of PTSD, panic disorder, anxiety disorder, and depression due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete information regarding stressor verification.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depression and an adjustment disorder, is found to be related to his service. Service connection for this condition is granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition for VA purposes.