Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and depression are rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective February 20, 2017. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 100 percent disability rating for service-connected coronary heart disease was denied as it is not factually ascertainable that the disability increased within one year prior to March 31, 2019.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) was denied because he did not meet the criteria for permanent housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder was denied as it is not factually ascertainable that the disability increased within one year prior to March 31, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including right upper extremity radiculopathy with muscle atrophy, major depressive disorder, and other disabilities, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to dress or undress himself, prepare meals, attend to the wants of nature, and require assistance for driving. The Board has determined that SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is warranted.

The Board has determined that there is new and relevant evidence to consider regarding the Veteran's claims for right knee joint osteoarthritis and depression. The case is being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to April 10, 2018. The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than April 10, 2018 is not warranted for the grant of a TDIU on a schedular basis and has remanded the case for referral to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU, SMC based on housebound, and DEA was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for these benefits prior to September 16, 2018.,The Veteran had service-connected disabilities including PTSD with panic disorder and depressive disorder due to MST, keratosis pilaris, migraine headaches, and female sexual arousal disorder associated with PTSD. She was granted TDIU effective September 16, 2018.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension. The evidence submitted since the August 2021 rating decision is considered redundant and does not provide new or relevant information to support these claims.

The Veteran's mood disorder is currently rated as 50 percent disabling. The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent, but no higher, for the Veteran's mood disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected depressive disorder, head, face, and neck scars, lower left extremity scars, right upper extremity scars, right lower extremity scars, and dermatitis, eczema, and pseudofolliculitis barbae are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The reduction of the disability rating for service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder/anxiety from 100% to 70% is void ab initio and restoration of the 100% rating is granted. Entitlement to a TDIU is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. Claims for depression, right leg shin splints, left foot condition, and respiratory condition are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety), a stomach disorder (to include GERD), a leg disorder, a lumbar spine disorder, a cervical spine disorder, a right ankle disorder, a left ankle disorder, a right hip/thigh disorder, a left hip/thigh disorder, a right knee disorder, and a left knee disorder for further development.,The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence of current disability.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with depression and anxiety resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating for the entire period on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic back pain, depression, left knee pain, right knee pain, anxiety, and bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during his periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, finding no evidence of a current diagnosis proximate to the filing of the claim.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at a 70 percent disability rating for the whole period on appeal, based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of a 30 percent rating and a rating in excess of 30 percent for left ankle injury status post partial synovectomy and excision of tibial exostosis has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to October 25, 2013, for the award of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, and depression has been dismissed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted, and his PTSD with depressive disorder rating was denied. The decision also addressed the Veteran's SMC claim but did not specify a date.

The Veteran's initial 100 percent rating for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) prior to February 22, 2021 is granted. The Board found that the severity of his symptoms warranted such a rating.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this.