Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim is granted. However, the rating for PTSD remains at 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and initial increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss due to further development being required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with psychotic features has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total occupational and social impairment. The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, as well as TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including whether any current psychiatric disorder is related to active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension. The case is remanded for further development regarding increased ratings for major depressive disorder and heart valve replacement.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, as a manifestation of his service-connected multiple sclerosis, is granted an increased rating to 70 percent. Separate compensable ratings are assigned for sleep disturbance and right arm sensory changes as manifestations of the service-connected multiple sclerosis. The Veteran also receives special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, including obtaining SSA records and a VA male reproductive examination.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for various conditions and issues due to improper docketing under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA). The Veteran is advised that she may pursue her claims under the legacy system.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder with unspecified insomnia disorder is granted effective December 7, 2015.,An evaluation greater than 70 percent for major depressive disorder with unspecified insomnia disorder since March 24, 2021, is denied.,Basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits began on December 7, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 18, 2020 for service-connected major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder (claimed as personality disorder) is denied. The claim for a TDIU prior to November 18, 2020 is also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information and evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions, stressors during service, and their relationship to his current psychiatric disorders.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of depression, dizziness, and headaches for further examination and opinion due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 4, 2020 for a 50 percent rating for unspecified depressive disorder is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to August 4, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than October 28, 2020 for TDIU and DEA benefits. The TDIU claim is being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU from the period prior to October 28, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date, a higher disability rating, and TDIU for unspecified depressive disorder have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not submit any new evidence to reopen his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a left knee condition as secondary to a right knee condition due to potential discrepancies in military personnel records.