Depression Board decisions

The Board has granted an effective date of June 17, 1986 for the grant of service connection for PTSD and remanded to determine a proper initial rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression. The TDIU claim was granted based on multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for ADHD and a psychiatric disability has been dismissed due to her death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is due to his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has been restored to a 100% rating effective June 1, 2018.,A rating in excess of 100% for PTSD with major depressive disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of examination and etiology opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 50% and has been increased to 70%. The symptoms of neglect of personal appearance, inability to establish effective relationships, and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances have been considered. However, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his impairment does not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's 70% evaluation for service-connected Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is restored to July 1, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder was denied in September 2019. The Board found that the Veteran did not continuously pursue his claim through a supplemental claim or appeal within one year of the denial, and thus denied an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error and will obtain an examination that addresses the Veteran's private treatment records reflecting a PTSD diagnosis during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as anxiety disorder), and a left shoulder disorder is granted. The claims of service connection for these conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, but has found that there are issues with service connection for left knee osteoarthritis without dysplasia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claim is being remanded to obtain VA examinations and opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically chronic pain syndrome caused by his cervical spine, left upper extremity, and carpal tunnel syndrome conditions. The appeal for secondary service connection is granted.

The Veteran's MDD was initially rated at 70 percent effective June 24, 2019. The Board granted a 100 percent rating for MDD effective March 16, 2021.,Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits were also granted effective June 24, 2019.

The Veteran's depression is granted as service-connected on a direct basis, with the Board finding that it was directly related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of March 25, 2019, for the 100% evaluation of Major Depressive Disorder is granted. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is denied as she was not found to be unemployable due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial claim for PTSD, major depression, and alcohol use disorder was granted with a rating of 70 percent effective September 12, 2017. The left ankle LCL sprain issue remains pending.

The Veteran's TDIU and a 50% disability rating for major depressive disorder were granted effective November 1, 2017. The Board found that the earlier effective date was warranted based on the receipt of an Intent to File form prior to the actual filing of claims.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with depression is granted service connection, but his bilateral knee condition is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and major depressive disorder. The earliest effective date is set to July 1, 2017.