Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's major depressive disorder caused total occupational and social impairment from June 18, 2009 to September 14, 2021. The Board granted a 100% rating for this period.

The Veteran's disability rating for PTSD was restored from 50% to 70%. The reduction was found to be improper due to a failure to provide proper notice and the Veteran detrimentally relied on incorrect information provided by the VA.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date and a higher rating for her psychiatric condition has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating due to insufficient evidence of total occupational or social impairment, despite having symptoms such as suicidal ideation.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, erectile dysfunction, and right varicocele were denied. The Board found that an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of major depressive disorder and unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder was granted with an effective date of June 11, 2013.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD with Major Depression, but the Board denied this claim as there was no communication received by VA that can be construed as an informal or formal claim prior to December 7, 2012.,The Veteran also sought an earlier effective date for SMC based on need for aid and attendance. The Board denied this claim as there were no pending claims for increased ratings for PTSD prior to the January 24, 2020 submission of a VA Form 21-526EZ.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's symptoms do not warrant a 100 percent evaluation due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for MDD, tension headaches, and tinnitus. The lumbar spine disability claim is remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a failure to provide a VA examination and medical opinion addressing the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for depression, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and dry eyes, all potentially related to Gulf War exposure.

The Veteran's MDD is rated at the highest possible disability rating of 70 percent, but no higher. Other conditions are not rated as compensable.

The Board has remanded the case due to multiple duty to assist errors, including affording the appellant a VA examination and attempting to corroborate his reported stressor. The claim is now pending for further review.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, unspecified depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, MDD, and SAD, are found to be related to his service, particularly exposure to burn pits and other toxins during active duty in Iraq.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder and anxiety are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current mental health disorders and his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, during or proximate to the appeal period. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified anxiety disorder with depression. The issue of service connection for bilateral pes planus is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities resulted in the need for aid and attendance as he required care or assistance on a regular basis to feed himself, keep himself clean and presentable, protect him from hazards, and manage his medications.

The Board has restored service connection for the Veteran's other specified trauma and stressor related disorder with major depressive disorder, finding that the original grant of service connection was not clearly erroneous.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he does not meet the criteria for a special home adaptation grant due to his service-connected disabilities, which do not include anatomical loss or use of both hands or burn injuries.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and current diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder are granted as service-connected. The Board found the evidence in equipoise regarding a nexus to military service.