Depression Board decisions

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service-connected tinnitus and remanded the claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, left, major depressive disorder (MDD), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder with anxious distress, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board granted service connection for cervical and lumbar conditions, chronic migraines, and MDD. The claims for hives, lung scarring, elbow and ankle conditions as secondary to Valley Fever were readjudicated based on new evidence.

The appeal seeking revision or reversal of the January 9, 1986, rating decision was denied. The appeal seeking revision or reversal of the November 30, 2015, rating decision was granted, and an effective date of November 15, 1984, for the award of service connection for PTSD was assigned.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for Sunscreen SPF 30 as there is no evidence that he was prescribed sunscreen for a service-connected disability.

The Board granted initial disability ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, right and left lower extremities involving femoral and sciatic nerves, and a 70 percent rating for service-connected other specified depressive disorder with anxious distress (moderate), as well as a compensable rating for hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher disability rating for major depressive disorder were denied.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for the service-connected major depressive disorder and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), to include extraschedular consideration.

The Board granted a 100 percent evaluation for persistent depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder effective February 11, 2022.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to a lack of competent evidence showing the Veteran had a diagnosis of PTSD conforming to the DSM-5 during or approximate to the pendency of the claim. The claim for major depressive disorder with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder was remanded for further development.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress was granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent, while the other claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied.

The appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, claimed as anxiety and depression, was dismissed due to the grant of service connection for chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of January 14, 2020, for the award of a 70 percent rating for service-connected generalized anxiety and unspecified depressive disorder, as well as a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied higher ratings for MDD and an earlier effective date for service connection, as well as a TDIU prior to April 23, 2009.

The Board granted service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder also claimed as depression but denied service connection for degenerative changes back, degenerative changes neck, and right shoulder strain claimed as scapula pain.

The Board granted service connection for systemic lupus erythematosus, anemia, and major depressive disorder. The claim for migraine headaches was remanded due to a need for further evidence.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection and higher ratings for spinal stenosis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and persistent depressive disorder (PDD). An effective date of June 30, 2011 was granted for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the claim for an additional VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depression with anxiety.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder was granted a maximum schedular rating of 100 percent from March 9, 2018, due to total occupational and social impairment. Prior to this date, the claim for a higher rating and TDIU were denied.