Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, is granted. The rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) remains at 60 percent and the claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The low back disability, liver cancer with liver transplant, hypertension, and TDIU claims are all remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, her case is being remanded as a VA medical opinion is needed to determine if her depression is related to service or if it is aggravated by her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to non-compliance with previous remands. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder claim is remanded for a supplemental medical opinion, and his sleep apnea petition is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the psychiatric disorder issue.

All appeals for service connection and increased evaluations have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of all issues.,An effective date of January 26, 2018, has been granted for a 50 percent disability evaluation for headaches.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, was denied in previous rating decisions. New evidence has been received to reopen the claim, but further development is needed due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset of any current diagnoses.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of VA examinations and requests for a medical opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to insufficient evidence of total social or occupational impairment. The Veteran maintains full-time employment despite his psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has determined that an earlier effective date prior to October 18, 2015 for the grant of service connection for unspecified depressive disorder is not warranted. The Veteran's claim was submitted on October 18, 2015 and a complete claim was filed in December 2015. An evaluation in excess of 30 percent for unspecified depressive disorder is remanded due to the need for a contemporaneous VA examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, specifically Persistent Depressive Disorder with Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia, is granted a rating of 50 percent prior to March 27, 2015 and from March 27, 2015 to August 2, 2020.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, Panic Disorder, and Recurrent Depressive Disorder was reopened due to the submission of new evidence. Service connection is granted for these psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a new examination to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Board has denied an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for coronary artery disease. The claims for accrued benefits, service connection for colon cancer and liver cancer (secondary to colon cancer), and depression (secondary to colon cancer) are remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including addressing earlier effective dates and initial ratings.

The Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, diagnosed as major depressive disorder and chronic adjustment disorder, are found to have had their onset during his active military service. Service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's condition is due to a personal assault during her active duty service.

For the period from March 27, 2019, the Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are rated at 100 percent disabling.,Prior to March 27, 2019, the Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder were rated at 50 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's private treatment records and to schedule him for a DRO hearing. The claims are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in June 2023.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension are remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for depression as a secondary condition to bilateral lower extremity small fiber peripheral neuropathy. The issues of increased ratings for the small fiber peripheral neuropathy and entitlement to TDIU are remanded.