Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to September 8, 2011.,The Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC based on TDIU since he is not unemployable due to a single service-connected disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his previously denied claims for bilateral knee disability, left eye disability (to include residuals from corneal abrasion), and psychiatric disorder. The appeals for service connection for headaches, a bilateral hip disability as secondary to bilateral knee disability, digestive disability, and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his major depressive disorder and TDIU was denied. His current rating of 30 percent is maintained.

The Veteran's initial claim for PTSD was denied, and the rating for unspecified depressive disorder with PTSD was initially granted at 30% prior to November 5, 2019. The appeal is now focused on whether a higher rating should be assigned from that date forward.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for depression was improper, and service connection is restored. The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for her service-connected depression disability and TDIU are remanded due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date than March 19, 1999, for service connection for PTSD with depressive disorder due to a lack of evidence showing any prior claims for benefits related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination, and requests a new medical opinion on whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected headache disability and other disabilities render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, qualifying for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. Additionally, his single service-connected disability (headache) combined with additional disabilities independently rated at 60% qualify him for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in a previous VA examination, and further evaluation is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional evidence, specifically VA treatment records from 2012 onwards. The Veteran's mental health history and any relevant evaluations or treatments are needed to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a VA examination, and further development is needed.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include as secondary to his service-connected residuals of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), and for TDIU are remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder was denied in July 2005 and again in July 2014. The effective date of the current award is set at May 2, 2017, based on a 'intent to file' received by VA in conjunction with the current claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are service-connected due to in-service military sexual trauma, which is considered new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of all evidence since the February 2020 Statement of the Case. The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected psychiatric disorder will be reconsidered with additional development and a possible VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), low back condition, and cervical spine condition due to incomplete development of his service connection claims.

The Veteran's persistent chronic adjustment disorder with depressive symptoms is granted as secondary to his service-connected right and left hip stress fractures, along with a wrist injury.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection are inextricably intertwined with the claim for diabetes mellitus. Therefore, all issues related to heart condition, right and left leg deep vein thrombosis, lung condition, right ankle condition, face numbness, and depression secondary to diabetes mellitus must be remanded as well.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause his need for aid and attendance, which is granted as special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l).