Depression Board decisions

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected depression and pseudofolliculitis. He is also granted special monthly compensation for aid and attendance, but not at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and affective disorder have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of a TDIU rating effective October 19, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to insufficient information regarding his service in the Puerto Rico Army National Guard, which is necessary for proper adjudication of all appealed issues.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent from September 12, 2011 and onward. The appeal for higher ratings prior to that date has been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than schizophrenia and PTSD, finding that his personality disorders pre-existed active service and were not aggravated by such service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and remanded the issue of entitlement to a higher initial rating in excess of 70 percent for Major Depressive Disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and no increased rating is warranted.,For the period from January 4, 2012 to January 10, 2017, the Veteran’s degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS warrants a 20 percent rating. However, for the period after January 10, 2017, no higher than a 20 percent rating is warranted.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE) from July 21, 2015 warrants an initial 20 percent rating.,PTSD with depression was rated as 70 percent disabling from July 1, 2015 to January 10, 2017. A TDIU is granted for this period.,TDIU prior to July 1, 2015 and from January 10, 2017 is granted.,An effective date of July 1, 2015 is granted for DEA benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.,Issues related to TDIU prior to July 1, 2015 and from January 10, 2017 are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder. The claims for left and right hip disabilities are remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination reports and need for additional development regarding service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and adolescent adjustment disorder.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine is not service-connected as it did not start during service and is not related to his bilateral foot disability.,Major depressive disorder has been established as a result of military service.

The Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to his service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, requires further examination as no opinion was provided regarding the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, unspecified anxiety disorder, and depression have been granted based on the confirmed stressor events during his deployment in Iraq and Kuwait.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied, and the Board also found that his TDIU claim should be remanded due to lack of examination addressing employment impact.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including right and left leg conditions, neuropathy, an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and anxiety), hypertension, and a heart condition. The VA is directed to obtain medical records from the South Carolina Department of Corrections and schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 30 percent, but the evidence does not show that his symptoms have worsened to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and secondary alcohol use disorder. The cause of the Veteran's death is also granted.

The Board granted an increased rating of 100 percent for service-connected Major Depressive Disorder and awarded Total Disability due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) effective June 1, 2017. Attorney fees in the amount of 20% of past-due benefits are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are at least as likely as not incurred during his active military service.