Depression Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and paranoid schizophrenia. The claim was not granted.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on a statutory housebound basis due to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder has resulted in total social and occupational impairment, including intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living and gross impairment in thought process or communication. As of August 17, 2022, a 100 percent rating is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression was dismissed as the AOJ granted service connection for this condition in March 2023.,Service connection for PTSD was denied because there is no persuasive weight of evidence supporting a diagnosis of PTSD during or proximate to the appeal period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate reasons and bases in the VA examination, requiring a new examination that considers lay statements and previous evaluations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, GAD, and situational phobia, is granted as secondary to her service-connected bilateral knee disability. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted with a rating of 20 percent, and service connection for unspecified depressive disorder and left patellar tendonitis are also granted. The Veteran's right shoulder condition was found to be limited to 80 degrees of motion, which does not warrant an increased rating. Service connection for the depressive disorder is granted based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have been granted a 100 percent rating, reflecting total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination for the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disability. The claim will be reconsidered with the possibility of an examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service. The Veteran needs to be scheduled for an examination to determine if he has any current psychiatric disorders and, if so, whether they are related to his service.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits claim is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding the impact of his additional and increased service-connected disabilities on his employment capabilities. The case will be readjudicated after a new evaluation with a VRC.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of Depressive Disorder with Anxious Distress. The non-initial rating claim for a higher rating remains under consideration.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his service-connected mental disability and for Special Monthly Compensation based on the need for aid and attendance has been denied. The Veteran's condition is currently rated at 70 percent, effective July 12, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder with depressed mood, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected orthopedic disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The evidence does not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas or total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to address the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive, anxiety disorder, and PTSD have resulted in an overall disability picture that more nearly approximates occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas since November 10, 2014. An effective date of October 3, 2019, for the award of a 70 percent rating is granted.

The proposed reduction of the disability rating for psychiatric disability, from 70 percent to 30 percent, is dismissed. The reduction of the disability rating for psychiatric disability, from 70 percent to 30 percent, effective December 1, 2020, was not proper and the 70 percent rating is restored.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of TDIU due to a lack of evidence showing total occupational impairment prior to March 19, 2013. The Veteran reported periods of employment and education during this time.