Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an examination and etiology opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, which may be related to service. The Veteran claims depression and alcoholism, and her claim is expanded to include any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress is rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is appropriate based on his symptoms of depressed mood, anxiety, and difficulty in establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on three issues have been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to April 20, 2013, for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 was denied due to her having been employed in substantially gainful occupations prior to that date.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected chronic posttraumatic stress disorder with depressive disorder, finding that OSA is proximately due to or aggravated by PTSD.

Service connection for Major Depressive Disorder and Sprain Right Thumb has been restored as the original decisions were not clearly erroneous.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, and the issue of treatment purposes under Chapter 17 for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress is dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's service connection for periodontal disease and depression is denied. The rating for PTSD, panic disorder, alcohol use disorder, and sedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic disorder has been granted at a 70 percent disability rating since March 14, 2019.

The Veteran is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected disabilities, including anxiety and depressive disorder, lumbosacral strain, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a depressive disorder was granted with an effective date of April 2, 2021. The Board found that the effective date should be fixed at this date as it is the later of the date of application and the date entitlement arose.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and depression, have rendered him unemployable due to his inability to work due to his psychiatric symptoms and physical impairments. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is granted a 70 percent evaluation, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus and tinnitus are denied increased ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected persistent depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent effective November 6, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for major depressive disorder, anxiety, and anger issues is dismissed as no AOJ rating decision adjudicated this matter within the one-year period prior to receipt of his June 1, 2021, VA Form 10182. The appeals for an earlier effective date for PTSD and a higher initial rating for PTSD are also dismissed due to procedural issues.

The Board has granted service connection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service corporal punishment. However, service connection was denied for a stomach condition including a ventral hernia due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for depressive disorder and headaches due to service-connected disability were denied.,The evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 30 percent for either condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxious distress with panic attacks, left clavicle fracture residuals, cervical strain, left knee tendinopathy, and left ankle sprain, rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board granted entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

Your earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA have been granted from November 1, 2019. The appeals are dismissed as the relief has already been provided.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and sustain substantially gainful employment, as he has reported working as an independent insurance agent.