Depression Board decisions

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claims for effective date determinations related to service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder and panic disorder.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD with self-induced alcohol use disorder, right knee disability, acne, chronic fatigue syndrome, and sub-umbilical hernia. The appeals are remanded for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to a claimed infection and residuals from VA medical care, finding that the proximate cause of the additional disability was not reasonably foreseeable.

The Veteran requested to withdraw their appeal regarding a disability rating for major depressive disorder with PTSD, and the Board has dismissed this issue.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a higher rating. The Veteran testified that her condition may have worsened since the last VA examination in October 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea to include as secondary to his service-connected other specified depressive disorder has been withdrawn and dismissed. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically other specified depressive disorder, is granted a rating of 50 percent prior to March 22, 2022, but the issue of entitlement to TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to September 9, 2022. The Board found the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as they were consistent with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress is currently rated at 70 percent, effective December 2, 2021. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date and the TDIU claim are both denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and medical opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities, as well as clarification of the evidence submitted.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, stomach ulcers (also claimed as abnormal z-line), low back condition (claimed as spinal cord injury), acid reflux, sleep apnea, depression (also claimed as insomnia), atrial fibrillation (also claimed as aortic aneurysm), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (also claimed as insomnia, anxiety, nightmares).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD with anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance) were denied. The Board found that the effective dates could not be earlier than April 17, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to January 13, 2011.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding of current diagnoses or in-service incurrence of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records and further review of his claims, specifically regarding his VA treatment records from July 2019 onwards and any administrative or medical records related to his USPS employment.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his depressive disorder rating is being remanded for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and completing employment information forms. The issue of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has denied service connection for anxiety and depressive disorders, finding that these conditions are due to a non-service-connected major neurocognitive disorder (dementia).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression, unspecified depressive disorder, and unspecified anxiety disorder, is found to have been incurred during service and has continued since then. The Board grants the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, MDD, and GAD, finding that there is no evidence of a diagnosed psychiatric disorder at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet DSM-5 criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a stroke is granted. The rating for hypertension remains at 10 percent, and the Veteran's major depressive disorder continues to be rated at 50 percent. The Veteran's SMC application based on housebound status or permanent need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted service connection, while his OSA is denied as not incurred in or aggravated by service.