Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent rating from April 14, 2021 to December 19, 2022. A higher rating for PTSD beyond this period and entitlement to TDIU are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and lumbar spine disability, as well as left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, were denied. The effective dates for these conditions are also denied.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the April 1, 2020 rating decision was dismissed because he did not timely file a VA Form 10182 and good cause has not been shown to extend the filing deadline.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder is rated at 70 percent for the appeal period prior to February 3, 2022 and denied for a rating in excess of 70 percent beginning on that date. The Veteran also has TDIU granted.

The Veteran was granted service connection for migraine headaches effective August 10, 2022.,The Veteran was granted service connection for depressive disorder effective April 11, 2024.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU prior to October 31, 2019 and an earlier effective date for DEA eligibility is dismissed as the issues have been resolved in her favor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including APD, right shoulder strain, left shoulder condition, cervical neck pain, scoliosis, and migraines. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims based on the lack of in-service injury or diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, a back condition, hair loss, a right wrist condition, scars, tinnitus, kidney problems, erectile dysfunction, and left knee condition have been dismissed as the Veteran did not file timely notices of disagreement.

The appeal of depression, anxiety, and distress is dismissed as the Veteran's PTSD encompassing these symptoms was granted. The respiratory disability (asthma) claim is granted. Tinnitus and lumbar spine and ankle disabilities are also granted. Bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for an effective date prior to June 3, 2020 for the grants of service connection for PTSD and tinnitus. The decision states that VA did not receive an ITF in September 2019 as claimed by the Veteran or her representative, and thus no earlier effective date can be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board denies entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted readjudication of the previously denied claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, anxiety disorder, and insomnia disorder. The claims for bilateral hip disability, bilateral elbow disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied.

The Veteran's asthma was rated at 30 percent and is denied an increased rating.,The Veteran's back condition was rated at 20 percent and is denied an increased rating.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis has a noncompensable (0%) rating and is denied an increased rating.,The Veteran's MDD is granted a disability rating of 70% but no higher.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating of 50 percent for major depressive disorder is granted. The claim for service connection for a bilateral leg disorder is denied.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to her service-connected PTSD, major depressive disorder, and bilateral TMJ associated with PTSD.

The Board has determined that there are duty-to-assist errors in the rating decisions and remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with PDD and ADHD, TDIU and SMC, and service connection for COPD to include as secondary to latent tuberculosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence did not demonstrate she was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

Your appeals for service connection for depression and tremors have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board cannot issue a decision on these claims as they are no longer pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error prior to the March 2025 rating decision. The Veteran should be provided updated notice and asked to complete VA Form 21-8940, Veteran's Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder, establishment of basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA), SMC based on a need for aid and attendance, and SMC at the housebound level. The Veteran's representative requested earlier effective dates for these issues.