Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected conditions rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU. Prior to January 23, 2012, the Veteran was granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis B, left knee disability, back disability, and acquired psychiatric disability were denied as there was no new and material evidence to reopen the hepatitis claim. The left knee and back disabilities are not service-connected due to lack of a current diagnosis or medical etiology.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating determinations related to various conditions, including left ear hearing loss disability, prostate cancer, an acquired psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease (DDD)/degenerative disc disease (DDD), and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The decision is due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for mild neurocognitive disorder as secondary to service-connected left ventricular hypertrophy and cerebral aneurysm, but the issue of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders (including major depressive disorder and PTSD) is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with depression, not otherwise specified, finding that his symptoms did not more closely approximate the level of impairment required for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and rhinitis have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand directives and requires further development for the cases of bilateral foot disability, right big toe disability, and psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and anxiety disorder were granted an initial 70 percent disability rating, which is the maximum available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and for substance abuse as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and needs further evaluation of PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the timeliness of his substantive appeal is granted, and the underlying claim for service connection is reinstated.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but due to an identified duty to assist error, his claim is remanded to obtain additional records that may impact the decision.

The Veteran's PTSD with persistent depressive disorder is rated at a 30 percent disability rating from March 17, 2016 to June 11, 2020. The symptoms are such that the Veteran experiences occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Board has determined that the evidence is insufficient to establish service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's symptoms during service and current diagnosis of a mental disorder are noted, but the VA examiner did not provide a nexus opinion regarding the etiology of his diagnosed depressive disorder.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified psychotic disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (claimed as PTSD), finding that his current mental health conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from January 19, 2009 to April 30, 2009 and from April 29, 2010 to August 2, 2011. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to January 19, 2009 and from May 1, 2009 to April 28, 2010 is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to January 19, 2009 and from May 1, 2009 to April 28, 2010. The decision is based on the established policy of VA that all Veterans who are individually unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation by reason of service-connected disabilities shall be rated totally disabled.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions on whether the Veteran's asthma is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder with psychotic features. The case needs further clarification from a pulmonologist.

The Board has granted service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder, finding that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether it was incurred during service. The TDIU claim will be remanded.