Depression Board decisions

The Board found that the September 17, 2003 rating decision denying service connection for major depressive disorder was not based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board granted an earlier effective date of July 14, 2017, for the award of service connection for major depressive disorder.

The Board denied the claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and special monthly compensation due to lack of evidence showing a belief in entitlement prior to the respective dates.

The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for generalized anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of service connection and increased ratings, except for a 40 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine which was granted with an effective date of November 9, 2012.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD, due to inadequate VA examination reports and opinions.

The Board remands the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depression, as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to a duty to assist error.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, head trauma, and PTSD due to the lack of new and relevant evidence. The Veteran was granted an initial 10% disability rating for migraines but had other claims remanded or denied.

The appeal for service connection for a back disability, peripheral neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder is dismissed.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's acquired psychological disorder and tinnitus, finding that the current ratings accurately reflect the severity of his conditions.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including TBI, psychiatric disabilities, cervical and lumbar spine issues, knee strains, shoulder and wrist conditions, and a ventral hernia. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation and the current presence of related disabilities.

The Board grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include major depressive disorder and anxiety, on a secondary basis due to the Veteran's service-connected physical disabilities.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include anxiety, depression, PTSD, and adjustment disorder, as a pre-decisional duty to assist error was identified.

The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 70 percent for Depressive Disorder Due to Chronic Pain Syndrome with Major Depressive Like Episode with Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Panic Attacks, and total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) from September 28, 2019.

The Board denied a higher initial rating for service-connected major depressive disorder (MDD), as well as total disability based on individual unemployability and special monthly compensation.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for depressive disorder NOS, granted service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to the service-connected depressive disorder NOS, and granted Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) for loss of use of a creative organ due to the service-connected depressive disorder NOS.

The Board granted an initial 70 percent rating for persistent depressive disorder and a 50 percent rating for tension headaches, effective from May 29, 2019. The claims for earlier effective dates were denied.

The Board granted an earlier effective date for COPD, SMC at the statutory housebound rate, and DEA benefits. The claims for a higher rating for major depressive disorder, separate TBI rating, and earlier TDIU were remanded.

The Board remands the claim for an examination and opinion to determine the likely etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, alcohol use disorder, and other specified depressive disorder. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and right knee strain were also denied. Additionally, the claims for service connection for various radiculopathy conditions and chronic headaches were remanded.