Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence on file regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The VA must provide a VA examination to address the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 26, 2013 for the grant of service connection for a major depressive disorder is denied. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for his major depressive disorder is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress is at least as likely as not related to events experienced during his active-duty service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claim of service connection for a LEFT shoulder disorder and cervical spine disorder, as well as the denial of SMC at the K-rate on account of 'loss of use' of the LEFT foot.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including persistent depressive disorder with other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, chronic headaches, right shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tendonitis, degenerative arthritis of the spine, left knee strain with bursitis, chronic right knee strain, left ankle lateral collateral ligament strain, chronic right ankle sprain, allergic conjunctivitis, and tinnitus, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities. As such, TDIU is granted from August 26, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent disabling for depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder is denied. The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right upper extremity thoracic nerve radulopathy is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of sufficient information in the September 2022 VA examination opinion, and additional evidence needs to be considered.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder were granted an increased rating to 100 percent effective October 28, 2023. The earlier effective date for the 100 percent evaluation is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder and major depression was originally denied in April 2021. The Board has determined that the earliest effective date is February 25, 2021, as this is when the Veteran first submitted her original claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence on file, and a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are related to her in-service symptoms.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and TDIU were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate these claims as they are moot.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to June 9, 2022, for a 100 percent rating for major depression disorder with anxious distress and special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance criteria being met (SMC) was denied.,There is no evidence of a discernable increase in the Veteran's disability level in the one year prior to June 9, 2022.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder does not meet the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance due to his ability to dress, feed himself, and perform daily activities. He is also not considered housebound due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his unspecified depressive disorder was denied, and entitlement to special monthly compensation at the housebound level was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring new VA medical opinions on causation and aggravation of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent since January 25, 2013, and the Board has granted a 100 percent rating for total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, sleep disturbance, and depression are being remanded due to a failure to provide adequate VA examination for the claim of service connection for depression.,Service connection will be considered on a direct basis for the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a mental health VA examination and Individual Unemployability Statement regarding his major depressive disorder.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD due to Military Sexual Trauma and has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition other than PTSD. The Veteran's claims are pending further examination and opinion.