Depression Board decisions

The Board has granted an effective date of November 22, 2019 for SMC based on aid and attendance due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The evidence shows that the Veteran requires assistance in performing activities of daily living and is unable to protect himself from hazards due to his PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, which was caused by his service-connected mental disabilities. As a result, the appellant's claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is moot and dismissed.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA from January 1, 2012, to September 10, 2019 are granted due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for depressive disorder is denied. The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and for an additional psychiatric examination.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of PTSD and MDD due to new evidence. The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities are found to be related to his military service, including his MOS in mortuary services.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder and PTSD. The matter is being returned for further development.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased ratings for major depressive disorder, right shoulder impingement, and left shoulder impingement. The appeal regarding an earlier effective date for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was also dismissed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease (CAD) and prostate cancer are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides. The claim for depression secondary to prostate cancer is remanded as there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for an increased rating of PTSD, and the Board has dismissed this issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, was incurred during his period of active service. Service connection is granted for this condition prior to February 24, 2023.

The Veteran's mental disorder, including unspecified insomnia and depressive disorders, is currently rated at 50 percent. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a 70 or 100 percent disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, and requests an additional VA examination to assess the extent of functional impairment caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of unspecified depressive disorder is granted, and the rating assigned is 50 percent effective July 1, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder is rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for an earlier effective date for individual unemployability was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including major depressive disorder with psychosis, finding that there was no persuasive evidence linking his current symptoms to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by alcoholic liver disease, which developed due to his long-standing alcohol use and psychiatric disability. The Board found that service-connected disability contributed to the cause of death.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was added to the claims file since the last Statement of the Case and remands are required for further development, including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and concerns about the adequacy of previous opinions. The issues include hypertension, back disability, acquired psychiatric disabilities, bilateral pes planus, right great toe disability, and erectile dysfunction.