Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 100 percent rating for service-connected PTSD is denied. The effective date was assigned in October 2015 and is final.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability have been denied. The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea (OSA), acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD and depression, right foot disability, and left foot disability.,For his right ear hearing loss, the Veteran was not granted a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including other specified depressive disorder, right and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, lumbosacral strain, right hip strain, and tinnitus, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantial gainful employment. The Board has granted an earlier effective date of June 20, 2019 for the award of a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various psychiatric, musculoskeletal, and cardiovascular disabilities that he contends began during active service.

The Veteran's disability rating for PTSD with alcohol abuse and major depressive disorder was reduced from 100% to 70%, effective March 1, 2022. The Board found that the reduction was improper due to a lack of evidence showing improvement in the ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error in the September 2018 VA examination, which did not consider relevant service treatment records. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is claimed as related to his service, particularly his alcohol abuse and anxiety issues.

The Board has restored the Veteran's PTSD rating from 50% to 70%, finding that there was no actual improvement in symptoms and thus the reduction was improper.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II rating was restored to 20% effective March 29, 2012.,An initial disability rating of 70% for depressive disorder, NOS (Not Otherwise Specified) is granted effective August 4, 2014. The Veteran's lung cancer status post right upper lobe resection was increased to a 60% rating effective September 9, 2016.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is granted service connection due to in-service exposure to burn pits and other toxins. His depression and anxiety are also granted as secondary to his now service-connected Parkinson's disease.

The Veteran's service-connected right thoracic outlet syndrome and major depressive disorder prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 30, 2016. The Board granted TDIU effective March 3, 2015.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder due to chronic pain syndrome, as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in developing the claim for skin boils, including potential exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's history of recurrent skin abscesses is being reviewed by a physician to determine if they are related to military service or presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's mental health conditions, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are rated at 70 percent. The rating is granted but not higher.

The Veteran's PTSD did not manifest by symptoms productive of total occupational and social impairment, so the claim for an increased rating must be denied.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for hearing loss, anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder with anxiety. Service connection was granted for acquired psychiatric disorders secondary to degenerative disc disease and neurogenic erectile dysfunction secondary to degenerative disc disease. SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ was granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder with bipolar disorder and cyclothymic disorder was denied as the evidence did not show an event, disease, or injury in service that caused his disability.

The Veteran's earlier effective date for a 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted, effective June 18, 2021. The Board also remanded the issues of compensation under 38 USC § 1151 for a bladder condition and service connection for a bladder condition on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's right knee disability and lumbar spine disability are found to have onset in service, warranting service connection.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and bilateral lower extremity neuropathic pain.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder and sleep apnea, finding that new evidence submitted since the January 2020 denial supports these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied because there is no confirmed diagnosis of PTSD in the medical records.