Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent effective October 30, 2022. The rating reflects significant occupational and social impairment.

The appeal regarding the effective date of service connection for major depressive disorder was denied as there was no new and material evidence to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, and his condition was rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation and TDIU based on his service-connected major depressive disorder was granted effective November 13, 2018. The effective date is the earliest date as of which it is factually ascertainable that an increase in severity occurred.

The Veteran's symptoms did not cause the level of impairment required for a disability rating of 100 percent, and therefore his claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and tobacco use disorder, was found to meet the criteria for a 100% disability evaluation effective November 9, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the current diagnoses of psychiatric disorders and a lack of adequate medical opinions. The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are being remanded for further clarification and evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection for PTSD and depression due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error in not providing a VA examination. The Veteran's lay statements and service records suggest an in-service personal assault, which could corroborate the stressor.

The Veteran's SMC was granted at the intermediate rate due to his need for aid and attendance, which is related to service-connected conditions including bladder and prostate cancer residuals, lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral knee disabilities. The Veteran does not meet criteria for loss of use of any extremities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for MDD with generalized anxiety disorder and panic attacks was denied, as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% rating. The claim for TDIU prior to September 2020 was also denied due to the presence of other service-connected disabilities that allowed him to maintain employment.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran's claims of service connection for depression and retinal scars are being reviewed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD with depressive disorder and somatic symptom disorder with predominant pain, and left foot drop have been withdrawn by the Veteran through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's death is being remanded for a determination on the cause of death claim, and dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied due to lack of total disability rating.

The Veteran's death was not caused by or related to his service-connected disabilities. The appellant is denied DIC benefits, survivors pension benefits, and accrued benefits.

The Veteran's IBS is related to her service-connected PTSD with panic attacks and MDD with anxious distress, but the VA examiner did not provide a sufficient opinion regarding this relationship. The Board finds that the VA examination was inadequate and remands for an addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's depression claim, including a lack of a current diagnosis and inadequate examination.

The Board has denied a higher rating for PTSD and has remanded the claim of TDIU due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of major depressive disorder was denied, and the claim for an increased rating for PTSD was granted with a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 17, 2021, for the grant of service connection for a separate rating for Parkinson's Disease with depression, cognitive/dementia, and sleep disturbances under Diagnostic Code 9434 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date of September 5, 2011, but no earlier, for the grant of service connection for constipation was granted.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA under Chapter 35 were denied as the evidence does not support a finding that he was employed full-time prior to September 2, 2006.