Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on MDD from October 12, 2017 and SMC at the housebound rate effective October 12, 2017. The Board has remanded both issues for further development.

An increased disability rating of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD was granted from March 13, 2014 to November 28, 2018.,A total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service connected disability (TDIU) was also granted during the same period.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for unspecified depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The appeal for service connection for PTSD or other acquired psychiatric disorders, including unspecified depressive disorder, is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

An effective date of January 1, 2022, is granted for a 70 percent rating for PTSD with depression.,An effective date of September 17, 2022, is granted for a 60 percent rating for IHD.,No earlier effective date is granted for the award of a 20 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss.,An effective date of January 11, 2010, but no earlier, is granted for service connection for a surgical scar associated with IHD.,An effective date earlier than August 10, 2022, is denied for service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, are related to his service. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's back disability is granted as service-connected, and a rating of at least 40 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy from April 21, 2020 is granted. The Veteran's PTSD claim remains pending due to the need for additional examination.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. The symptoms include intermittently illogical, obscure or irrelevant speech, impaired impulse control (such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence), and difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and PTSD are currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and depression as the evidence did not establish an in-service event, disease, or injury that was not the result of the Veteran's willful misconduct.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to December 21, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, adjustment disorder, major depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder, is reopened. The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is granted an initial 70 percent rating, effective from September 28, 2016. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, as well as bilateral hearing loss, has been granted. The issues of service connection for a mid-back scar associated with lipoma removal, bilateral foot condition, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 14, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depression, and TBI secondary to service-connected disabilities have been granted. However, the rating in excess of 50 percent for migraine headaches and a compensable rating for residual scar from cervical surgery remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also remanded as it includes issues related to his back disability and TBI.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and a headache disorder are also remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including unspecified anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus remain denied.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD and MDD was reopened, granted, and a compensable rating for right foot callous and a higher rating for residuals of fracture of the right fourth toe were denied.