Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD with major depressive disorder was granted effective May 12, 2014. A higher evaluation of 70% was granted prior to June 11, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to August 29, 2016, for the award of service connection for chronic acquired psychiatric disability was denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of any unadjudicated formal or informal claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder prior to August 29, 2016.,The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the regular need for aid and attendance was granted. The Board found that the Veteran required assistance in bathing, tending to hygiene needs, preparing meals, and taking medications due to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran is denied an effective date prior to January 27, 2020 for the award of service connection for PTSD and related psychiatric conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's depressive disorder due to chronic pain syndrome, with major depressive-like episode, finding that it is related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is remanded due to the inadequacy of the VA medical opinion provided in November 2018. The case will be returned for an appropriate VA examination and further analysis.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been presented to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The case is now remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and cannabis use disorder was granted with an effective date of October 6, 2020.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding various conditions, including major depressive disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, cervicogenic headaches, left hip degenerative arthritis, right hip degenerative arthritis, left shoulder DJD, right shoulder osteoarthritis, and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for posttraumatic stress disorder with traumatic brain injury, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder from March 13, 2021, and entitlement to special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria are dismissed. The appeal for an effective date earlier than September 14, 2015, for the award of Dependents' Educational Assistance is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and rating issues, including anxiety with PTSD and depression, cervical spine disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, left knee disability, and a proposed reduction in the evaluation of low back pain.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, is secondary to his service-connected impairment of rectal sphincter control. The Veteran needs a new medical opinion addressing this issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was dismissed. The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression is now rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance for the period of time on appeal.

The Board has determined that the October 1982 rating decision denying service connection for depression based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) is granted, with an effective date of February 6, 1982.

The Board has restored service connection for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) due to new and material evidence, finding that the original grant of MDD was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, thyroid condition, hypertension, right hip arthritis, sleep apnea, depression, anxiety, and insomnia disabilities are denied as not related to service.,The Veteran's lumbago with arthritis disability is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to her service-connected disabilities. Service connection is also granted for lumbosacral strain with a rating of 40 percent effective May 29, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 6, 2023, for a 100 percent rating for the service-connected psychiatric disorder and special monthly compensation benefits was denied as there was no communication expressing intent to file such claims prior to that date.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right lower extremity above-the-knee amputation and depression as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran is also entitled to special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the right leg effective February 7, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating of 70 percent for service-connected depressive disorder has been granted. The Board also remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).