Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for services provided by the appellant on July 17, 2019 were denied as there was no indication of prior authorization and the treatment did not meet the criteria for emergency medical care.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, finding that the condition began during active service and continues to this day.

The Veteran's increased rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted to a 70 percent disability rating. The appeal of service connection for PTSD is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder, is granted as service connected due to the submission of new and relevant evidence showing a current disability related to in-service events.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to January 16, 2020 for the grant of a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD was denied. The Veteran's PTSD rating from 30 percent to 50 percent effective January 16, 2020 is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is granted with a June 4, 2013 effective date. However, the rating for this condition remains at 70 percent and no higher. The Veteran also received some benefits related to his housing and transportation needs.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for allergic rhinitis was denied, and the Board has remanded his service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to duty-to-assist errors. The Board found that there were no nasal polyps in his case.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety, depression, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, sciatic neuropathy of the left and right legs, as well as left and right shoulder degenerative arthritis based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to a service-connected disability is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for clarification of the standard used in assessing secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for MDD was denied, and his claim for SMC based on aid and attendance prior to March 15, 2021, was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the overlap of timelines and potential for prejudice. The AOJ will readjudicate the claims, including whether a TDIU was warranted prior to July 1, 2020, and the appropriate disability rating for major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation for the period between July 8, 2019, to September 29, 2021. The Board has granted TDIU during this period.

The appeal to sever service connection for Major Depressive Disorder with anxious distress, now evaluated as Borderline Personality Disorder, was dismissed because the proposed action was not a final decision on the merits.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine is rated at 20 percent, and the Board has remanded this issue for further examination.,Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 100 percent for service-connected depression and anxiety disorder was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's OSA is secondary to his service-connected PTSD with MDD and alcohol use disorder with TBI, but additional medical opinions are needed to clarify the nature of this relationship.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including Parkinson's disease and urethral strictures with urinary dysfunction, have caused significant disabilities that require regular aid and attendance. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension and granted eligibility for SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for major depressive disorder prior to February 3, 2020 was denied. However, the Veteran received a 70 percent rating from that date forward.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently evaluated at a 50 percent rating, and the Board has determined that this level of impairment does not warrant an increased rating to 70 percent or higher.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depressive disorders, finding that there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.