Depression Board decisions

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for depression but granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI) residuals, effective January 6, 2021.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for persistent depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder and denied an effective date prior to December 2, 2016, for service connection for the same condition. The appeal for individual unemployability (TDIU) was dismissed as moot.

The Board denied service connection for depression or major depressive disorder (MDD) as it was not causally related to the Veteran's active-duty service.

The Board denied service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy, denied earlier effective dates for prostate cancer residuals and major depressive disorder, denied increased ratings for CKD, tinnitus, and hearing loss, denied a higher rating for depression, and denied an earlier effective date for prostate cancer residuals. The Board granted TDIU and an earlier effective date for chronic kidney disease.

The Board denied service connection for anxiety, depression, and sleep disorder as there is no current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder in accordance with the DSM-5.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for chronic sinusitis and denied an increased rating for depression.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a low back disability, but remanded claims for mental health disability, substance abuse, type two diabetes mellitus (DMII), hormonal imbalance, bilateral glaucoma, and left knee disability.

The Board granted an effective date of July 2, 1990, for the grant of service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board granted an effective date of December 7, 2015, for the award of service connection for painful surgical scar, left knee, and a 10 percent rating for cluster headaches. It denied earlier effective dates for other issues.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder, a TDIU prior to April 7, 2015, and basic eligibility for DEA due to a duty to assist error.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and MDD with anxious distress, but granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board granted service connection for chronic cervicothoracic pain, chronic headaches, chronic sinusitis, deviated nasal septum, generalized anxiety disorder, and persistent depressive disorder. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, to obtain an addendum opinion regarding potential in-service sexual trauma and a fall from a moving vehicle resulting in a TBI.

The Veteran was granted a 100 percent disability rating for somatic symptom disorder with predominant pain and major depressive episodes, effective May 6, 2021. The right ankle debridement of arthritis, post traumatic, was denied a higher rating, while service connection was granted for right knee pain but denied for low back pain and radiculopathy in the lower right extremity.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disability but denied service connection for depression, hypertension, and diabetes.

The Veteran was granted a 50 percent rating for his left shoulder osteoarthritis with rotator cuff tear repair and hemiarthroplasty, denied an initial compensable rating for his left shoulder surgical scars, and granted TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding the proposed reduction of the rating for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder, as no reduction had occurred. The reductions in ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathies were proper, and a higher rating for lumbosacral strain was denied.

The appeal was denied for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, with some issues remanded.