Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with depression, is granted. The appeal for service connection for psychosis for the purpose of establishing eligibility for treatment is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and mild neurocognitive disorder is rated at 100 percent effective February 6, 2017. The VA also granted eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits from the same date.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is granted effective October 3, 2020.

The Veteran's diagnosed Major Depressive Disorder is related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for the service-connected psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is granted as secondary to her service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the DIC claim due to a duty to assist error, specifically related to the PACT Act. The appellant's DIC claim will be developed in accordance with VA's statutory duties under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder) was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's symptoms did not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot issue a decision as he died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for multiple disorders, including right and left hip, right knee, right shoulder, left hand (finger), left elbow, vision impairment, thyroid cancer, psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety), separate psychiatric disorder, neck muscle spasms, left shoulder muscle spasms, and a left knee sprain.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD with major depressive disorder and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA examination records and private treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches, IBS, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted. Headaches are secondary to degenerative arthritis of the spine, IBS is linked to in-service symptoms that persisted post-service, and anxiety, depression, and PTSD are related to a witnessed traumatic incident during service.

The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for the service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder, effective January 3, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for depressive disorder from December 27, 2021 to March 28, 2022 is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a 70 percent rating is warranted due to suicidal ideation. The remanded issues include obtaining a scanned letter from the Veteran's spouse related to his mental health and determining entitlement to TDIU.

The Board remands the claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error by obtaining outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and other specified anxiety disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are related to any in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to a failure to schedule VA examinations. The Veteran was scheduled but did not attend, and good cause is found for this failure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified schizophrenia, other psychotic disorder with depression is granted with an effective date of August 4, 2019. The issue of earlier effective date for TDIU prior to May 12, 2021, is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is found to significantly impact their ability to work, leading to a determination of entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).