Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date for service connection is September 24, 2014, for major depressive disorder, and March 8, 2011, for right shoulder rotator cuff tendinosis.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of service connection for anxiety (also claimed as depression), back pain, bone fracture (also claimed as joint pain) on the right foot, chest pain, sleep disturbances, and major depressive disorder (depression).

The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for borderline personality disorder with persistent depressive disorder is dismissed.,An effective date earlier than November 23, 2011, for the award of service connection for borderline personality disorder with persistent depressive disorder is granted.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be proximately due to his service-connected major depressive disorder with insomnia, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for unspecified depressive disorder was granted, with the effective date remaining at June 24, 2020. The issue of an earlier effective date for service connection on this condition has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective February 26, 2018. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension and chronic cardiovascular disease as secondary to hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea have been granted with a rating of 100 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed as the issues being appealed are already before the Board in another docket. The main issue is about an increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder, which was previously decided by the Board.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder prior to June 23, 2018 was denied as there is no basis for an earlier effective date.,The Veteran's claim for a rating of 100 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder prior to August 14, 2019 was also denied due to lack of evidence showing the disability had reached that level within one year prior to his supplemental claim.

The Board denied service connection for anxiety disorder and depression disorder, finding that there was no current disability to support the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and depression are rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective February 20, 2017. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 100 percent disability rating for service-connected coronary heart disease was denied as it is not factually ascertainable that the disability increased within one year prior to March 31, 2019.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) was denied because he did not meet the criteria for permanent housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder was denied as it is not factually ascertainable that the disability increased within one year prior to March 31, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including right upper extremity radiculopathy with muscle atrophy, major depressive disorder, and other disabilities, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to dress or undress himself, prepare meals, attend to the wants of nature, and require assistance for driving. The Board has determined that SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is warranted.

The Board has determined that there is new and relevant evidence to consider regarding the Veteran's claims for right knee joint osteoarthritis and depression. The case is being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to April 10, 2018. The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than April 10, 2018 is not warranted for the grant of a TDIU on a schedular basis and has remanded the case for referral to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU, SMC based on housebound, and DEA was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for these benefits prior to September 16, 2018.,The Veteran had service-connected disabilities including PTSD with panic disorder and depressive disorder due to MST, keratosis pilaris, migraine headaches, and female sexual arousal disorder associated with PTSD. She was granted TDIU effective September 16, 2018.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension. The evidence submitted since the August 2021 rating decision is considered redundant and does not provide new or relevant information to support these claims.

The Veteran's mood disorder is currently rated as 50 percent disabling. The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent, but no higher, for the Veteran's mood disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected depressive disorder, head, face, and neck scars, lower left extremity scars, right upper extremity scars, right lower extremity scars, and dermatitis, eczema, and pseudofolliculitis barbae are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The reduction of the disability rating for service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder/anxiety from 100% to 70% is void ab initio and restoration of the 100% rating is granted. Entitlement to a TDIU is dismissed as moot.