Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran also meets the requirements for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, hopelessness, polysubstance and nicotine dependence. The Veteran's right ankle disability was also denied.,Both the bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus issues were remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is rated at 70 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran also sought TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities but was denied.

The Veteran's chronic headache syndrome is granted as service connected. The Veteran's depression is denied as not related to service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), and sleep apnea is remanded. The Veteran also has an ongoing TDIU appeal.,Service connection was granted for chronic prostatitis with erectile dysfunction and urinary frequency effective May 28, 2010. Service connection for depression and sleep apnea are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to July 21, 2015 rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's tinea pedis and unguium were granted a 60 percent rating effective September 19, 2016. The appeal is remanded for further development.,COPD and variously diagnosed psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) are also being remanded.

The Veteran's cause of death (cardiovascular disease) is not service-connected, and he was not rated totally disabled by VA at any time. The Veteran’s major depressive disorder did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His left and right knee disabilities were also found to be within the range of normal function.

The Veteran's psychiatric condition, diagnosed as unspecified depressive disorder, is granted. The Board also remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims and effective dates for increased ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of loss of use of extremities, blindness in both eyes with 20/200 visual acuity or less, and other specific requirements.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability are being remanded due to the addition of new medical evidence. The case will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction for review.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional evidence and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's depression has been granted a 100% disability rating, effective from the date of the decision. The TDIU claim is dismissed as it is no longer relevant due to the grant of a higher disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being permanently housebound, finding that her service-connected disabilities do not result in the need for such assistance.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 70% effective February 10, 2014. The Board granted a higher rating for his depressive disorder based on the severity of symptoms and occupational/social impairment.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, due to the lack of credible evidence supporting a combat-related stressor in Kuwait. The Veteran's symptoms are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder has been reopened and granted. The Veteran is also granted initial ratings of 10 percent for shin splints of the right leg, left leg, folliculitis of the bilateral arms, otitis externa of the left ear, and blepharitis of the left eye.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder does not require the care or assistance of another on a regular basis, and he is not housebound due to his service-connected disability. Therefore, entitlement to SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his combined disability rating is only 40 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and major depressive disorder (secondary to service-connected disabilities). Service connection was denied for lumbar spine disability.