Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD with symptoms of depression and obsessive compulsive disorder personality traits is now rated at 70 percent from March 28, 2016, to the present. An earlier effective date for service connection has been denied.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was rated at 50% initially but is now rated at 70%, effective November 3, 2017.,Right knee contusion and instability were both granted service connection with an effective date of June 19, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation on a schedular basis from April 29, 2020. The Board has granted TDIU effective that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder, has been granted. The Board found that the evidence is at least in approximate balance and supports a finding that his major depressive disorder is related to his active service and secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, is found to be caused and/or aggravated by his service-connected chronic myofascial pain syndrome with degenerative disc disease lumbosacral spine.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder was denied, as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% rating.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities not meeting the required percentage ratings.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including anxiety and depression, is denied as not being related to service or a service-connected disability. The claim for PTSD due to MST is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder are related to his active service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits effective October 20, 2016.,An earlier effective date for DEA benefits prior to January 27, 2020 is also granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates in a May 2024 Board hearing, effectively dismissing all related issues.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for persistent depressive disorder and persistent anxiety disorder due to a lack of VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective June 30, 2008. He also received TDIU and SMC for the specified periods.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive and anxiety disorders. The claim for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, unspecified depressive disorder, and anxiety due to potential service connection issues.,The VA examination was inadequate in addressing whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities are aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating from March 24, 2015 to September 15, 2016.,From September 15, 2016, the Veteran received a 100 percent rating for her PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for unspecified depressive disorder prior to February 12, 2021 and a TDIU prior to that date have been dismissed due to his death before the Board could consider them.

The Veteran's OSA with asthma is granted a 30% rating, effective July 16, 2024.,An effective date of August 1, 2020 for the increased rating of GERD to 10%. The Veteran's major depressive disorder remains at a noncompensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea due to duty-to-assist errors, as well as the need to verify the Veteran's service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his current psychiatric disorders and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression and anxiety was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran prior to a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only. The claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance was also denied as there was no evidence of needing regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.