Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 100 percent for his service-connected mild neurocognitive disorder with depressive disorder and pure dysthymic syndrome, mild was denied. The Veteran also received an effective date of April 12, 2018 for SMC based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has found a pre-decisional duty to assist error due to the lack of consideration of the Veteran's service-connected major depression with psychotic features in determining his eligibility for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance. The case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of her service-connected psychiatric disability and a TDIU prior to January 28, 2019 is being remanded due to procedural deficiencies. Additional evidence must be obtained and the Veteran must undergo VA examinations to determine the severity of her disabilities and differentiate between symptoms attributable to each condition.

The Veteran's MDD with PTSD was granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision.,SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance (A&A) was granted since June 4, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymia has resulted in total occupational and social impairment throughout the appeal period, leading to a grant of a 100 percent disability evaluation effective March 15, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, to include as due to MST. The case is being referred back for a new VA examination and additional records.

The Veteran's appeals for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and TDIU prior to July 2, 2020, have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing all issues on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sinus condition and his request for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support current diagnoses of a sinus-related condition or other service-connected disabilities that would allow for a TDIU.

The Board has expanded the claim from PTSD to include an acquired psychiatric disability, and finds that further development is necessary due to inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's VA treatment records indicate other diagnoses such as anxiety, depression, and MDD which were not addressed in the previous examination.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is granted. However, the claim itself remains denied as there is no evidence linking his current psychiatric condition to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing private treatment records, specifically those from Greenleaf Behavioral Center where the Veteran was hospitalized for suicidal and/or homicidal thoughts in August 2020. The VA will seek these records and any additional relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 70 percent, but not higher, for his psychiatric disability (bipolar disorder and depression) is granted from March 21, 1975, to December 26, 1996. The claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent after December 26, 1996, is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder) on a direct basis, finding it at least as likely as not related to service. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, is dismissed as the full benefit sought has already been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip arthritis, but denied service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and unspecified neurocognitive disorder).

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for his left ankle and psychiatric disorders. The Board finds that there is no persuasive evidence to support these claims.,The Veteran's current effective date for the grants of service connection for his left ankle and psychiatric disorders stems from an intent to file he submitted to VA in September 2018.

The Veteran's bladder cancer and its residuals are granted service connection. The kidney/ureter removal is also granted as secondary to the bladder cancer. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety, depression) and erectile dysfunction as secondary to the bladder cancer are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder was withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.,Claims for increased ratings for skin cancer on various upper extremities and face/neck were denied. The reduction in disability rating for hypertension from 10% to 0% was found improper, and the previous rating is restored.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and for further examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating of 70 percent or more for his acquired psychiatric disorder, and the Board dismissed the claim.