Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder was rated at 70 percent prior to October 22, 2021. From October 22, 2021, to May 19, 2022, the Veteran received a 100 percent disability rating for his depression.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting evidence regarding his current mental health and gastrointestinal disabilities. The VA will need to conduct further examinations and provide opinions on whether these conditions are related to service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine spondylosis and unspecified depressive disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since October 16, 2002. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 6, 2012.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including higher ratings for depression with anxiety disorder and TBI, as well as propriety of reduction in right shoulder and headache ratings. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's service connection for chronic edema of the bilateral lower extremities and initial rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder (mood disorder with anxiety and depression) have been granted. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of chronic edema which is proximately due to his hypertension and type II diabetes mellitus, and he also experiences total occupational and social impairment related to his mood disorder.

The Board granted an effective date of January 23, 2008 for the award of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's initial informal claim was dated on this day and VA recognized it as a request for benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, as there are inconsistencies in the medical opinions provided and relevant records have not been obtained.

The Veteran's skin symptoms are attributed to a known clinical diagnosis of cherry angiomas/hemangiomas, which is not related to service.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran's memory loss to his military service or any diagnosed condition.,The Veteran's fatigue is linked to obstructive sleep apnea, which is not directly related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for TBI, Seizure Disorder, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD (Major Depressive Disorder) due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder. The issue of entitlement to a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal, satisfied with the most recent rating decision and all remaining issues on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including pancreatic disability, left hand disability, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, kidney disability with renal transplant, skin disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for COPD. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cardiac disorder, left knee disorder, and left ankle disorder are denied. The claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) is reopened, and the Board finds that his other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is at least as likely as not related to his service. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and initial rating in excess of 70 percent for his psychiatric disability (major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and insomnia disorder) is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date prior to May 25, 2018, or a higher initial rating.

The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder is rated as 70 percent disabling prior to August 29, 2015. Beginning August 29, 2015, and prior to August 17, 2020, the rating for his psychiatric disorder is denied. Entitlement to TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, ratings, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, as his combined disability rating and individual service-connected disabilities do not meet the requirements for schedular TDIU. The evidence is persuasive against the claim of being unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.