Depression Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and psychiatric disability. The evidence did not support the presence of current disabilities or a link to active service.

The Veteran's PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder is granted as service-connected due to MST. The left carpal tunnel syndrome remains at a 10% disability rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Unspecified Depressive Disorder, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and PTSD. The decision finds that her current symptoms are related to her military service.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as acute respiratory failure due to COVID-19 and post-traumatic stress disorder. The VA examiner found that the service-connected major depressive disorder did not contribute to his death, but there are inconsistencies in the medical records regarding the presence of post-traumatic stress disorder at the time of his death. The Board has ordered additional development to clarify these issues.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits eligibility are granted with an effective date of April 15, 2015. The earlier effective dates for these benefits were determined based on the Veteran meeting the criteria for a total service-connected disability that was permanent in nature since this date.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection and increased rating for various conditions, including alcohol use disorder, dementia, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia disorder, and major depressive disorder, as well as a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for adhesive pleurisy and painful scar. The decision also noted that the appellant did not meet the criteria to be considered a dependent child or have evidence showing she bore the expense of the Veteran's last illness and burial.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to PTSD with depression and insomnia, should be remanded due to a lack of adequate medical opinion regarding direct service connection and aggravation by a service-connected condition.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of August 5, 2020 for the Veteran's 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder and a grant of total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). This is due to evidence showing an increase in severity during the one-year lookback period.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder (APD) to include PTSD, with major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse disorder is rated at 70 percent. The Veteran also receives a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, including APD. OSA secondary to APD is also granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and major depressive disorder were denied, while the appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was remanded. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings for either condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for persistent depressive disorder secondary to migraines is denied as entitlement did not arise until July 30, 2018 when service connection for migraines was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric condition, to include PTSD and a depressive disorder, and sleep apnea are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional evidence and provide an adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent, and he has additional disabilities independently ratable at or above 60 percent. The Board granted SMC at the housebound rate based on his service-connected conditions. However, the claim for SMC(k) related to erectile dysfunction caused by medication for major depressive disorder was remanded due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder, is granted as service connected. The evidence shows the condition developed during active service and continues to this day.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted a 70 percent evaluation, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 70 percent, but the Board denied an increased rating and TDIU based solely on service-connected depression.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder has been granted a 70 percent rating, but no higher, throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, are rated at a 70 percent disability rating effective November 18, 2019. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU based on these conditions but denied the claim for TDIU due solely to service-connected acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's combined rating of 90 percent based on past-due benefits granted in May 2024 is denied as the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.