Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for an effective date prior to May 4, 2012, for service connection and a higher initial rating for other specified depressive disorder with anxious distress; an earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits. The appeal is also remanded to obtain outstanding private treatment records from TLS/Dr. A.B.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder disability has manifested in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating. The claim for TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection regarding traumatic brain injury and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder was denied, and the issue of entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent disabling since May 2012, and he is already in receipt of special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s). Therefore, the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD is denied as moot.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no medical evidence showing a nexus between the condition and her military service.,Service connection for chronic sinusitis was also denied due to lack of current diagnosis. The Veteran did not have symptoms that meet the criteria for chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder and unspecified mild neurocognitive disorder are rated at a 70 percent disability rating from April 25, 2024. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is rated at 100% throughout the period on appeal, effective June 1, 2010. As a result, the issue of entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for this period has been dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and benign paroxysmal position vertigo, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) is being remanded due to the need for a new aid and attendance examination. The AOJ will consider all service-connected disabilities in determining if they render the Veteran helpless, requiring regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent effective May 31, 2017. Prior to this date and thereafter, the rating remains unchanged.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depression, dysthymic disorder and adjustment disorder, has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his legacy appeal through a Decision Review Request: Higher-Level Review.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, is rated at 70 percent effective from the date of claim (September 27, 2018).

The Veteran's depression is granted a 70% evaluation. The right knee and right foot disability issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities and their relationship to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss, and there was no service connection established for most of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis, credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor, and a link between the current symptoms and the claimed in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of the claimed conditions and therefore, service connection cannot be established for any of these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for fibromyalgia due to lack of objective evidence and credible opinion supporting the diagnosis.,Service connection is remanded for hypertension and sleep apnea as there is insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with opioid use disorder and cocaine use disorder, other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, and unspecified depressive disorder. The decision also grants secondary service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder to include as secondary to service-connected left knee disorder.