Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected depressive disorder has been denied. The Board found that the symptoms associated with the Veteran's depressive disorder more closely approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not total occupational and social impairment.

Service connection for migraine headaches is granted. From April 17, 2019, through October 3, 2019, a 70 percent rating for PTSD with GAD and MDD is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the psychiatric disorder claim.

Service connection is granted for unspecified depressive disorder and PTSD, but the claim of service connection for migraine headaches is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder, as well as the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), are granted with an effective date of September 4, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date and a higher disability rating for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's depressive disorder due to head injury with depressive features is not shown to be manifested by symptoms productive of total occupational and social impairment, thus the claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent is denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran did not have a pending claim for accrued benefits at the time of his death, and has remanded the issue of service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has dismissed all the claims related to various conditions, including trochanteris pain syndrome, major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, asthmatic bronchitis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep apnea, migraines, and a bulging disc. The Veteran withdrew her appeal through her authorized representative.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder with panic attacks is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to June 27, 2018 is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for DEA benefits under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 prior to June 27, 2018 is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment, which meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's MDD, unspecified anxiety disorder and insomnia disorder are rated at a 70 percent disability rating effective June 20, 2018.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied prior to August 10, 2022 due to his service-connected disabilities not precluding him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. As of August 10, 2022, the Veteran received a 100% rating for lung adenocarcinoma and TDIU is moot as he now meets the schedular requirements.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because she already has a 100% evaluation for PTSD with an unspecified depressive disorder and excoriation, which renders her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, should be remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The issues include verifying in-service stressor events and obtaining missing STRs and SPRs.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including other specified stressor and trauma disorder and major depressive disorder, is found to be related to his service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's MDD to include alcohol use disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating since March 2, 2023.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination in August 2020, and a new examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder is granted, and he is now rated at a 70 percent disability rating. The effective date of the award will be July 23, 2015.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for major depressive disorder, service connection for hearing loss, and initial compensable rating for right-hand osteoarthritis were denied. The appeal for service connection for a left hand condition was also denied.