Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, major depressive disorder, alcohol abuse disorder, and traumatic brain injury are of such severity as to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including MDD, somatic symptom disorder, and generalized anxiety, is rated at 70 percent effective December 28, 2021.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with opioid dependency is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the criteria for mental disorders. The Board found that his symptoms warrant this higher rating based on his difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, and suicidal ideation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's increased disability rating for service-connected depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, associated with residuals of left lateral meniscus tear and arthritis is denied. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, is at least as likely as not related to service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 30, 2020, for service-connected Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) as secondary to hypothyroidism was denied. The Board found that the disability arose on November 30, 2020, when the Veteran was diagnosed with MDD in a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound. The Board finds the Veteran should have been provided new medical examinations to assess his current severity and impact of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and occupational experience, warranting the grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, anxiety, dizziness, and headaches have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder, moderate with anxious distress, was rated at 50 percent and denied an increased rating.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with TBI, migraine headaches, chronic sinusitis, and deviated nasal septum are all rated. The rating for the adjustment disorder is granted at 70 percent, effective February 4, 2020. The ratings for the other conditions remain unchanged.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was rated at 100 percent effective July 6, 2020.,Special monthly compensation at the housebound rate is also granted as of July 6, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected mood disorder with major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, effective September 11, 2020. The appeal for an earlier effective date and higher initial rating was denied.

Your temporary total evaluation for surgical convalescence following a right proximal row carpectomy is dismissed as the benefit sought has been fully granted with service connection for PTSD and SMC at housebound rate.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressor and inadequate medical opinions. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to corroborate the claimed stressor and schedule a VA examination for an opinion on the etiology of the acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since January 2021, but the Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they did not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD and bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities were denied increased ratings, while the TDIU claim prior to January 29, 2020, was also denied.