Depression decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's death and unexplained absence, but the appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability remains. The issues include establishing PTSD based on corroborated stressors and determining if any current psychiatric conditions are related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent from February 18, 2011 to July 13, 2016 and at 50 percent from July 14, 2016 to May 19, 2021. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms consistent with a 70 percent disability rating under the General Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Board has determined that new evidence received after the March 2019 denial supports readjudicating the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and various drug and alcohol use disorders. However, the Board found no credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors related to Saigon or other claimed incidents during military service, leading to a denial of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's current depression began during his active military service and grants this claim. For the issue of sexual disease in the genital area, the Board finds a need to obtain a new VA opinion due to an incomplete rationale provided in the January 2021 medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, alcohol use disorder, and persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress is currently rated at 70 percent. The Board finds that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his reported in-service stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss of use of one or both feet, permanent vision impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip. Therefore, the Veteran is denied eligibility for financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he withdrew his appeal after receiving service connection for major depressive disorder and a combined rating increase to 100 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits as his total disability is not permanent.

The Board has decided to remand two issues related to the Veteran's psychiatric disorder and housebound status, as additional evidence is needed from Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records.

The Veteran was granted service connection for multiple conditions related to his service-connected Parkinson's disease, including erectile dysfunction, balance impairment, speech impairment, tremors in the upper and lower extremities, muscle stiffness, depression, cognitive impairment, complete loss of smell, constipation, and fine motor skills impairment.,A 10 percent rating was granted for moderate incomplete paralysis due to Parkinson's disease.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are rated at 70 percent, but no more.,Service connection for cervical spine arthritis is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and depression render him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment as an electrician, effective July 1, 2013.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were granted effective March 17, 2006. The decision is based on the direct service connection of his conditions.

The Veteran's MDD with anxiety is currently rated at 50 percent, effective June 2, 2016. The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's employment and income between September 2011 and February 2015 were above the poverty thresholds, indicating she maintained substantially gainful employment. Therefore, her claim for a TDIU prior to February 1, 2015 is denied.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is denied as it is not related to his honorable period of service from October 23, 1984 to March 13, 1988. The Board found the evidence against a link between the current condition and this period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 25, 2012.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder, is granted as service connected. The Board found that the Veteran had symptoms of depression while in service and these have continued since then.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and rhinosinusitis, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD), asthma, bronchitis, and a lung condition are all granted.,Service connection is also granted for right arm and shoulder disabilities and left knee disability.