Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to substantially comply with prior remand directives, specifically not obtaining a VA examination as instructed. The Veteran's absence at the scheduled examination is acknowledged and will be considered in determining whether he attends his next examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression has been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for neck strain, also claimed as musculoskeletal neck/upper back, cervical spine, straightening of usual cervical lordosis, Dowager's Hump Column, chronic neck pain, neck arthritis, and cervical spondylosis is remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 16, 2021, for the grant of service connection for PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder is denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date was the day following the Veteran's separation from active duty on August 15, 2021.

The Veteran's service connection for Major Depressive Disorder and Nervousness was granted with a rating of 70 percent effective February 9, 2010. The appeal is not about service connection issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder with anxiety is being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including the failure to obtain mental health treatment records and service personnel records.

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depression Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU. Additionally, she was granted SMC at the housebound rate for periods from December 16, 2021 to March 31, 2022 and from June 16, 2022 to September 30, 2022.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's depression began during his military service and continues to this day.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder is secondary to his service-connected left and right knee disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected recurrent major depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder is granted a 70 percent disability rating, but no higher. The claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's psychiatric, sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and right knee disabilities are being reviewed again with new medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for unspecified depressive disorder associated with sleep apnea was denied, as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hypertension was also denied, as his blood pressure readings did not consistently reach the required levels to warrant such a rating.

The Veteran's depressive disorder NOS has been rated at 70 percent since May 1, 2020. The Board finds that the Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating due to lack of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's effective dates for the awards of a 70 percent rating for unspecified depressive disorder, TDIU rating, and SMC based on housebound status are all granted as of June 11, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are rated at 70 percent since July 23, 2019. The effective date for this rating is granted as of that date.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is denied as the earliest effective date that can be assigned is June 3, 2021.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and major depressive disorder, is granted as secondary to his service-connected traumatic brain injury. His erectile dysfunction is also granted due to in-service urethritis. The Veteran is awarded SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ due to ED. The peripheral vestibular disorder remains at 30 percent, while the migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and a need for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric condition, including depression. The Veteran contends his current conditions are related to service exposure and self-medication with alcohol and drugs.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 70 percent for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) for the entire period on appeal. The appellant's MDD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. A TDIU prior to May 2, 2016, was denied.