Depression Board decisions

The rating reduction for hepatitis B from 20 to 10 percent, effective September 15, 2020, was proper. The Veteran's MDD manifestations prior to August 3, 2020, and thereafter, did not meet the criteria for a higher than 70 percent or 100 percent rating, respectively.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability has been dismissed as the Regional Office already granted it in a previous decision.,Service connection for residual(s) of a right hip injury and left hip injury is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's diagnosed mental disorders are related to service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 18, 2013, for the grant of entitlement to a TDIU is granted. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities since at least July 2014.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of his psychiatric disability was denied, as the evidence does not support total occupational and social impairment.,SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound is also denied due to lack of substantial confinement or need for regular assistance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, hemorrhoids, chronic sleep disorder, and tinnitus have been denied. The claim for service connection for eye problems is remanded.,Service connection was not granted for the claimed conditions due to a lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder with PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability is related to his in-service symptoms and experiences.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, and PSUD, is related to his military service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, as well as an increased evaluation for PTSD, were denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a DSM-5 diagnosis for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for a higher PTSD rating and TDIU are being remanded due to errors in the pre-decisional duty to assist. The AOJ is instructed to develop employment history information, earnings information, and review non-VA mental health treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and anxiety disorder should be remanded due to a lack of competent medical evidence to adjudicate the claim, despite meeting the low evidentiary standard in McLendon v. Nicholson.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for additional development due to receipt of relevant service department records. The Veteran's claims are related to his scar and psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and MDD, have rendered her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment as of September 1, 2019.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as presumptive under the PACT Act, and his erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer.,Major depressive disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's MDD with generalized anxiety as a residual of his hypothyroidism is granted effective January 8, 2021.,The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity essential tremors are secondary to and a residual of his service-connected hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizoaffective disorder with unspecified depressive disorder was denied in September 2017, but reopened. The Board is denying an earlier effective date for the award of service connection based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the September 2017 rating decision.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 22, 2020, for the assignment of a 70 percent disability rating for service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic, with major depressive disorder, severe without psychotic features, with alcohol use disorder, severe. The decision is based on the Veteran's symptoms and their impact on his ability to work and maintain relationships.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) but denied service connection for bilateral foot pain with bunions, fungus, and corns. The MDD is believed to have started during active duty training. Bilateral foot pain is not considered related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety disorder, and psychosis, is granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The case is remanded for further consideration.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective August 19, 2022, along with an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal is granted.