Depression Board decisions

The Board granted an effective date of August 15, 2007, for the grant of a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression, to include as secondary to a bilateral knee disorder, due to the lack of evidence supporting a current diagnosis of depression and no credible evidence linking it to his military service.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder, finding that the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board granted a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD, adjustment disorder, and depression from November 26, 2014, but dismissed the claims for earlier effective dates for a 70 percent rating and TDIU, as well as an earlier effective date for DEA.

The Board granted increased ratings for major depressive disorder, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic and femoral nerves), and right shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, but denied a higher rating for the same conditions from February 10, 2022.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder, finding that May 8, 2023, is the earliest possible date based on the evidence.

The Board remands the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder, secondary to service connected tinnitus due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board granted an initial 50 percent rating for the Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress, but denied a rating in excess of 70 percent beginning March 25, 2024.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the 100 percent rating for major depression and granted an effective date of December 7, 2009, for service connection of fibromyalgia.

The Board granted an initial rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder (MDD) from June 6, 2023, but denied an effective date prior to that date.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, to include depression, and remanded the claim for headaches.

The Board granted readjudication of the claims for service connection for migraine headaches, traumatic brain injury (TBI), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder, recurrent, with mood congruent psychotic features and anxious distress, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim for left ear hearing loss was denied.

The appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, was granted due to the receipt of new and relevant evidence.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for SMC based on a need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to an inadequate VA examination and conflicting evidence regarding the impact of her service-connected conditions.

The appeal for service connection for recurrent left shoulder dislocation residuals, a back disability, depression, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board granted service connection for anxiety and depression, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected paranoid schizophrenia.

The Board restored the 70 percent rating for PTSD and major depressive disorder, effective February 1, 2024, as the reduction was improper. The claim for a higher rating for low back disability was dismissed.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for major depressive disorder due to a lack of jurisdiction as no rating decision was issued within an allowable timeframe.

The Board denied the appellant's eligibility for direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the January 2023 rating decision.