Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of PTSD with major depressive disorder was denied as the disability most nearly approximates the current 70 percent evaluation, which is appropriate given his symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected MDD and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment, but rather occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, increased rating for left knee limitation of flexion, and initial compensable disability rating for hypertension are remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases of PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder for further development due to newly obtained VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection for PTSD and depression, which may be related to a right knee disability. The Veteran's statements about his depression are not considered in the current opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to August 3, 2022, finding that there was no reasonable possibility of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding entitlement to a compensable evaluation for TBI prior to September 20, 2023 and entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with depressive disorder and TBI from September 20, 2023. The Veteran's legacy appeal was withdrawn when he opted into the modernized review system.

The Board has found that the VA did not substantially comply with its prior remand orders regarding scheduling of medical examinations for the Veteran's service connection claims. The appeals are therefore being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and Parkinson's disease have been granted service connection, with a 100% rating for major depressive disorder as of June 30, 2017. Special monthly compensation at the housebound rate has also been granted effective from that date. Initial evaluations of 40% each have been assigned for impairment of the right and left lower extremities associated with Parkinson's disease.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his service or any other conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for neck and right arm pain as secondary to left ulnar neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for depression was dismissed due to his death, as the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the claim at this time.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, specifically Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Unspecified Depressive Disorder, is rated at 70 percent. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence does not show total occupational and social impairment.

An initial rating of 50 percent for bipolar disorder with anxious distress (previously rated as major depressive disorder with anxiety and alcohol use disorder, in partial remission; claimed as depression) is granted from May 1, 2018, through August 8, 2018.,Entitlement to a compensable rating for migraines prior to August 6, 2019, is denied. A rating of 50 percent for migraines as of August 6, 2019, is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error, specifically the lack of an adequate VA examination addressing the combined effects of her service-connected disabilities on her employment potential.

The Veteran's claim for a separate 30 percent rating for residuals of hypothyroidism, including weight gain and fatigue, has been granted. A separate 10 percent rating for cold sensitivity due to hypothyroidism is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's symptoms, including difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities, impaired impulse control (such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence), and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships, resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The evidence overall does demonstrate the level of impairment associated with a 70 percent rating.

The Board has determined that there are errors in the decision regarding service connection for various conditions and requires additional medical opinions to address these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, finding that the onset of these conditions occurred during service.