Depression Board decisions

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the award of a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD with major depression and for establishing basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA), but dismissed the claim for TDIU as moot.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder, effective August 31, 2023.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of May 6, 2014, for the award of service connection for major depressive disorder and a TDIU but denied a higher initial rating for major depressive disorder.

The Board remands the issue of eligibility to the direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a March 18, 2024 rating decision due to an initial decision that failed to inform the parties of the past-due benefits awarded.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of psychiatric disabilities to obtain an opinion from a medical examiner.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards of increased compensation and service connection, finding that it was not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's conditions had worsened to a degree warranting such increases prior to the specified dates.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected fibromyalgia and depression from December 19, 2012, to January 24, 2017, but the claim for TDIU beginning January 24, 2017, was denied.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and major depressive disorder. The headaches and obstructive sleep apnea claims were remanded.

The Board granted an initial 70 percent rating for Major Depressive Disorder with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, effective December 21, 2021.

The Board denied an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder with anxious distress, finding the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximated a 70 percent rating.

The Board remands the claim for an initial disability rating higher than 30 percent for unspecified depressive disorder due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error in not obtaining private treatment records.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining private medical records and updated TERA opinions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and rating of an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied a rating higher than 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability and remanded the claim for service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed as it was not timely filed.

The Board denied service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder as it was not related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board denied service connection for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, back condition, headaches, bilateral hip condition, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran was granted an earlier effective date of May 6, 2022, but no earlier, for an initial noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with neurocognitive disorder and Parkinson's disease have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent rating from June 26, 2023.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) prior to November 30, 2021, and basic eligibility for Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits effective October 26, 2020. The increased disability rating claim was denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral ankle disabilities, and bilateral hip disabilities to obtain VA examinations with etiology opinions.