Depression Board decisions

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxious distress does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need to clarify the extent to which symptoms of persistent depressive disorder were caused or aggravated by chronic endometriosis rather than a nonservice-connected back disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and prostatitis are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors in the prior decisions.

The Veteran's appeal for initial ratings for major depressive disorder and tension headaches has been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating.

The Board has determined that there was a duty-to-assist error in the decision on appeal and requires a new VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including whether it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is service-connected as it was caused by his service-connected depression and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring an addendum opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for major depressive disorder from June 29, 2007 to May 24, 2021 was denied. The Board found that the severity of his symptoms most closely approximated occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks during this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for unspecified depressive disorder and PTSD due to potential errors in obtaining relevant medical records, including SSA disability records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions based on reported harassment during service.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder with cocaine use disorder and alcohol use disorder are rated at 70 percent, the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The appeal is denied as there is no evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 100% disability rating for service-connected depressive disorder and SMC based on housebound status is denied. The effective date for DEA benefits under Chapter 35 is also denied as it cannot precede the TDIU award.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's reported stressors, specifically a rough takeoff and flight in 1972. The VA examiner did not address this second stressor.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for his acquired psychiatric disabilities, including depression and anxiety, are remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The claim for TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issue.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection for depressive disorder and right shoulder condition require additional development due to incomplete records. The Veteran's STRs from May 2011 to October 2011 are missing, and a VA examination is needed to address the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral shin splints has been dismissed as the appeal was not timely filed. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a left foot condition are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder was denied as the claim was not filed on the correct form, and no new evidence was submitted to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.,Erectile dysfunction associated with prostate cancer status post radical prostatectomy is denied as the evidence does not demonstrate a 'deformity' with loss of erectile power.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence shows that the Veteran's mental health issues are due to his physical limitations caused by his service-connected conditions.