Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder with alcohol abuse, duodenal ulcer with peptic ulcer disease, right achilles tendon surgery residuals (including shortening of the leg), and erectile dysfunction, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and the retrieval of clinical records.

The Veteran's combination of service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder with PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome, and multiple orthopedic conditions, prevents him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. Effective January 23, 2019, he is granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with duty to assist, substantial compliance, and need for an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes is secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorder or gastrointestinal condition.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU rating effective October 16, 2016 due to her service-connected disabilities. The evidence shows she was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment beginning on this date.

The Veteran's UDD is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The cervical spine and upper extremity radiculopathy are each rated at their maximum allowable disability ratings.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating of 70% or higher for PTSD with AUD, MDD, and SUD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression and paranoid schizophrenia, as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's PTSD claim was dismissed as the April 2020 rating decision did not constitute a final appealable decision.,Service connection for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder with recurrent, moderate MDD (previously insomnia disorder) was granted with an effective date of March 28, 2024.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder with anxious distress and alcohol dependence, assigning a 70 percent rating effective June 22, 2020. The appeal is granted in part.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder with TBI and headaches have been granted effective from June 1, 2010. A 70 percent rating has been assigned for depressive disorder since August 13, 2020, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has also been granted.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board cannot issue a decision on the underlying claims at this time.

The Board has found that the Veteran requires personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months based on need for supervision, protection, or instruction due to diagnosed conditions. However, additional development is needed to determine eligibility for PCAFC benefits under 38 CFR §71.20(a).

The Veteran's TDIU rating and associated benefits were granted based on a supplemental claim filed in June 2021, which resulted in the January 2022 rating decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors, and will need a new examination to determine if the Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and will consider service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. A new opinion is needed regarding whether the unspecified anxiety disorder is due to active service or any incident therein.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including other trauma and stressor related disorder, adjustment-like disorder, mood disorder, anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder. The decision is based on evidence showing a link between these conditions and an in-service event.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent, without considering the period from January 30, 2019 through March 31, 2019 when he was rated 100 percent temporarily due to VA PTSD residential rehabilitation treatment program.

The Board dismissed the service connection claims for depression, anxiety, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, kidney condition, osteoarthritis, and right knee condition due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these issues during his hearing. The claim for hypertension was granted with a PACT Act presumption.