Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted for the period beginning May 1, 2020, as he has a combined disability rating of 100% due to service-connected disabilities and was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance was denied as he did not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran could perform activities of daily living with minor assistance or reminders from his spouse, and there is no evidence indicating he required regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress is rated at a 50 percent since June 16, 2020. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims for higher ratings for GERD, rhinitis, sleep apnea, MDD, and ED. The Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations related to these issues constitutes a duty to assist error.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including other specified anxiety disorder due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran's representative provided additional information about his service and post-service symptoms.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression/anxiety, was rated at 50% prior to January 21, 2010. The VA granted a TDIU based on the service-connected disabilities, effective from July 26, 2006.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of May 8, 2019, for his TDIU award due to lack of factual support for unemployability prior to that date.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for GERD as secondary to service-connected MDD due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's current GERD disability is related to his service-connected MDD, but there is insufficient evidence to determine if it was caused or aggravated by the medication he takes for his MDD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back pain, right knee sprain, major depressive disorder, fibromyalgia, and migraines, have rendered her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to March 23, 2022.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and tension headaches have been granted increased ratings. The Veteran now receives a 100% rating for his depressive disorder prior to July 8, 2019, and a 70% rating thereafter for his tension headaches.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome (low back pain), radiculopathy in the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy in the left lower extremity are dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that his current psychiatric condition is not related to his active duty service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected depressive disorder and left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain with laxity and instability. The decision also grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to re-establish service connection for his lower back condition, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and generalized anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder and insomnia due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding secondary service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses include unspecified depression and major depressive disorder, which he contends are related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all five claims have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal in June 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric, lumbar spine, and left lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's diagnoses of PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, and Unspecified Adjustment Disorder are recognized, but the relationship between these conditions and his military service is unclear.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating of 100 percent due to insufficient evidence of total occupational and social impairment.