Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a 100 percent disability rating for major depressive disorder is granted, effective from February 15, 2018. The Board finds that the severity of the Veteran's MDD most closely approximates the criteria for a 100 percent disability evaluation since this date.

The Board has granted service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder, finding it is proximately due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for simple phobia vehophobia was denied due to lack of current diagnosis. The appeal regarding an increased rating for PTSD remains pending, as does the TDIU issue.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder is remanded due to incomplete VA examination and the need for a new retrospective opinion.

Service connection for depression, a psychiatric disorder manifested by nightmares/sleep condition, and right hip disability is denied.,The Veteran's asthma claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of service connection for Major Depressive Disorder with psychotic features was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that his condition arose during or was related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for major depression and anxiety disorder as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions in the Veteran's records.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in duty to assist and inadequate medical opinion. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is being reviewed for service connection.

Your claims of service connection for depression and headaches have been dismissed as you have already received a favorable decision on these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of major depressive disorder was reopened and granted effective October 23, 1997.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as anxiety and stress) due to a lack of current diagnoses.

The Board has dismissed the appeals as the Veteran's authorized representative withdrew all pending claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of service connection for his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, and substance use disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete records. The Veteran is entitled to additional etiology opinions on his acquired psychiatric, respiratory, cardiac, vestibular, hearing loss/tinnitus, and orthopedic disabilities.

The Veteran's initial increased rating claim for PTSD and his TDIU claim are being remanded due to a duty to assist error. A new VA examination is needed to determine the severity of his service-connected psychiatric disability, including any overlapping neurocognitive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, coronary artery disease, gout, and right ankle degenerative joint disease and fracture, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational background and work experience. The Board granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was not received to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back condition, right leg pain, left leg pain, depression, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome. The decision is based on the evidence available at the time of the March 2022 supplemental claim rating decision.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, effective from the date of his claim filing in August 2017.

The Veteran's neurocognitive disorder/dementia is granted as secondary to his service-connected TBI. His major depressive disorder remains at the maximum schedular rating, and he is now eligible for higher level SMC based on aid and attendance due to his TBI.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound status as he is able to perform most daily activities independently, including walking short distances without assistance.