Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 10, 2013, for the grant of service connection for Major Depressive Disorder is remanded. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to January 10, 2013, and the issue of increased rating for Major Depressive Disorder are also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 10, 2013, for the grant of service connection for Major Depressive Disorder is remanded. The issues of entitlement to a TDIU prior to January 10, 2013, and increased rating for Major Depressive Disorder are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent rating. The claim for TDIU is dismissed as moot due to the established 100 percent rating.

The appeal to reduce the evaluation of PTSD with MDD from 100% to 70% was dismissed because no reduction had occurred at the time the Veteran submitted her NOD.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection, TDIU, and DEA benefits have been denied. The earliest date of entitlement to these benefits is July 26, 2016.,There was no formal or informal claim prior to July 26, 2016, for PTSD and depression.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to unspecified depressive disorder with obesity, finding that the Veteran's weight gain and obesity due to her service-connected mental health condition is a substantial factor in causing her current sleep apnea.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, did not result in the level of impairment required for a higher rating. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's initial claim for TBI residuals was denied, and a separate noncompensable evaluation is also denied.,An effective date prior to January 31, 2018, for the award of a separate noncompensable evaluation for TBI residuals is denied.,An effective date prior to January 31, 2018, for the award of a 100 percent evaluation for MDD with anxious distress, unspecified anxiety disorder, alcohol use disorder in early remission, and TBI is denied.,An effective date prior to January 31, 2018, for the award of service connection for tinnitus is denied.,Basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) was not granted before January 31, 2018.,Special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status prior to January 31, 2018, is also denied.,The Veteran's request for a TDIU for the one-year appeal period prior to January 31, 2018, was not granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no current diagnosis of a mental health condition and thus not meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection for headaches is granted. The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder remains at a 50% evaluation, but the appeal for an increased rating is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder with major depressive-like features, finding that there is no current psychiatric diagnosis related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression is rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating due to occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.,The Veteran's headaches are currently noncompensable. The evidence does not show characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months.

The Veteran's mental health symptoms caused occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD and persistent depressive disorder are currently rated at 70 percent, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not warrant an increased rating as it does not meet the criteria for chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale.,The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and migraines, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since June 22, 2011. Effective as of April 30, 2019, she is entitled to a TDIU rating.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to major depressive disorder, with obesity serving as an intermediary step.

The Board has granted service connection for hypothyroidism and an acquired psychiatric condition (claimed as PTSD with depression) due to in-service exposure, with the latter being linked to a witnessed vehicle crash during deployment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining private mental health treatment records and arranging a VA examination.

The appeals of the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disabilities and PTSD have been dismissed.,An increased rating for a low back disability has been denied.

The Veteran was awarded SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person effective September 17, 2018. The Board found that it was factually ascertainable that he required this benefit more than one year prior to the filing of his intent to file a claim.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, MDD, and GAD based on the Veteran's credible in-service stressor related to his experience during military service in Okinawa, Japan. The decision is based on a finding that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing conditions.