Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD with depression, insomnia, and alcohol use disorder is rated at 100 percent for the entire appeal period. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disability is moot as the Veteran now has a 100 percent schedular rating.

The Veteran's MDD has been granted a 70 percent evaluation, but his left elbow disability and TDIU issues have been remanded for further examination and development.

The Veteran's claim for SMC at the housebound rate is granted effective November 15, 2018. The evidence supports finding that he was substantially confined to his dwelling and immediate premises due to service-connected psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder without psychotic features, with anxious distress, is rated at 70 percent since July 30, 2014.,With reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran, she is granted a TDIU due to service-connected major depressive disorder without psychotic features, with anxious distress, effective from August 15, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The Board finds the November 2019 VA examination is incomplete, particularly regarding the Veteran's major depressive disorder and hallucinations.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are both granted as service-connected, with the MDD being secondary to her already established PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD, is granted. The appeal to reopen the PTSD claim is dismissed as moot since all symptoms are already covered under the grant of service connection for depression.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, and agoraphobia with panic disorder, is related to his deployment to Southwest Asia during the Gulf War. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cervical spine, depression, and lumbar spine conditions secondary to left heel or achilles tendon condition due to an error in satisfying a regulatory duty with regard to these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD was previously rated at 50 percent prior to October 22, 2019. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to this date.

The Veteran's initial rating for major depressive disorder with anxious distress is denied, and he is granted a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran also has been granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability since December 6, 2019.

The Veteran's service connection claims for atrial fibrillation and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as secondary to atrial fibrillation) are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, but the disability picture does not warrant a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has granted service connection for other specified trauma with depression, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his in-service stressors and personnel records show he served in Bahrain during Desert Storm.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder with symptoms of depression is rated at the highest possible level (100%) due to significant impairment in work and social relationships, including difficulty maintaining effective relationships, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, and intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living.

The Board has denied service connection for depression, hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and tinnitus. The decision is based on the lack of evidence supporting these conditions during or within one year after active duty.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, requiring a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders including PTSD and depression are related to service or any event or injury during service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and panic disorder, finding that his current symptoms are related to an in-service MST during basic training.