Depression — all decisions

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for the service-connected major depressive disorder and a higher initial disability rating for sleep apnea, as well as a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for the service-connected depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board granted a 100 percent disability rating for the Veteran's depressive disorder from April 14, 2021, to September 7, 2022.

The Board denied increased ratings for bilateral vertical taluses and dismissed appeals for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, tinnitus, and major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder due to untimely notice of disagreement.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for a depressive disorder with depressive features and anxiety disorder, and remanded claims for service connection for GERD and migraines.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and right knee osteoarthritis, but denied service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, right hand degenerative arthritis, left hand degenerative arthritis, left shoulder subdeltoid bursitis (claimed as degenerative arthritis), right shoulder strain (claimed as degenerative arthritis), major depressive disorder, and an anxiety disorder.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeals for service connection for anxiety, depression, and PTSD due to concurrent election of Direct Review while Higher-Level Review was pending.

The appeal for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress and insomnia disorder was dismissed due to a procedural defect involving the claims-processing rules.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for anxiety disorder, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder to cure pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his depressive disorder or hip disabilities.

The veteran withdrew the appeal for all service connection claims, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review these matters.

The Board granted an effective date of June 21, 2012, for the award of service connection for major depressive disorder based on the Veteran's informal claim received that day.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on a need for aid and attendance, as her service-connected disabilities did not necessitate regular assistance from another person. The claim for housebound criteria was dismissed as it had already been granted in a previous decision.

The Board denied service connection for anxiety, depression, PTSD, headaches (including migraines), and sleep apnea syndrome as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active duty.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings for obstructive sleep apnea and left knee disabilities, but denied an increased rating for the left knee strain, limitation of extension. Service connection was also granted for depression.

The Board granted an effective date of June 21, 2012, for the award of service connection for major depressive disorder.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied increased ratings for the Veteran's cervical spine, GAD with PDD, left knee, right knee, left shoulder, thoracolumbar, and migraine disabilities. The claims for service connection for acne or residuals of acne, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), chronic sinusitis, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), respiratory insufficiency (dyspnea) were remanded.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of a 100 percent rating for PTSD and major depressive disorder, an earlier effective date for TDIU due to service-connected conditions, and a compensable rating for hypertension. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and coronary artery disease were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety, depression, left knee pain, and migraine headaches.