Depression Board decisions

The Veteran was granted total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) but denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for persistent depressive disorder and an earlier effective date prior to July 16, 2019.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or additional service-connected conditions.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 50 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is granted an initial rating of 70 percent, but no more.

The Board granted an earlier effective date for service connection, denied a higher rating, and granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied various claims for increased ratings and effective dates, including those for tinnitus, wrist scars, lower extremity radiculopathy, bulimia nervosa, psychiatric disability, benign neutropenia, herpes II, GERD, plantar fasciitis, and TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic fatigue syndrome was granted a 100% rating beginning September 11, 2019; gastroesophageal reflux disease with irritable bowel syndrome and psychiatric disability were granted ratings of 30% and 70%, respectively; chronic headaches were granted a 50% rating. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability was also granted.

The Board granted an effective date of May 15, 2023, for the award of a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Board granted initial disability ratings of 70 percent for major depressive disorder, and 20 percent each for left and right lower extremity neuropathy/radiculopathy. The lumbar spine disability was denied a higher rating, and the effective dates for service connection were adjusted.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities, to include major depressive disorder and PTSD, due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression and anxiety.

The Veteran's TDIU is based solely on service-connected PTSD with persistent depressive disorder, effective October 26, 2020, and SMC at the housebound level is granted for the same date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board remands the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include major depressive disorder and insomnia, for a new VA mental disorders examination due to non-compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a rating higher than 30 percent for major depressive disorder (MDD) before November 9, 2021, and a rating higher than 70 percent for MDD after November 9, 2021, as well as entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for the aid and attendance of another and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities before November 9, 2021, for additional development.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and kidney disease, while denying service connection for a low back disability, hip pain, and a neurobehavioral disorder. The claim for a gastrointestinal disability was remanded for further consideration.

The appeal concerning the proposed reduction of rating for major depressive disorder was dismissed, and entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, denied an increased rating for the low back disability, granted a 50 percent rating for depression, and granted TDIU. The appeal was partially successful with some issues being granted while others were denied.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, MDD, and adjustment disorder with mixed depression and anxiety, finding that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders began in service, have continued uninterrupted since service, and are related to his service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher initial rating for his depressive disorder and for a 100 percent schedular rating for coronary artery disease with cardiomegaly prior to September 29, 2021. The claims for a compensable rating for scars of the chest, thorax, bilateral groin, and left thigh, and entitlement to TDIU were remanded.