Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, adjustment disorder, and depression was denied in September 2014. The AOJ found no diagnosis of PTSD during service or a current disability related to military service. In June 2022, the Veteran requested readjudication of her claim, which resulted in an effective date of January 26, 2022, for the grant of service connection.

The Board has denied all increased rating claims for various service-connected conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, erectile dysfunction (ED), bilateral hearing loss, depressive disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus (DM).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to symptoms consistent with the current 70 percent evaluation. The lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board has determined this to be appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, adjustment disorder, and depression. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are related to any in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's current condition had its onset in service. The decision also notes that there are no indications of other psychiatric disorders such as PTSD.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective December 11, 2019, due to her service-connected disabilities causing her unemployability since at least that date.

The Veteran's mental health disorders, including PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder, are now service-connected. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran is granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance at the 38 U.S.C. � 1114(n 1/2) rate, but no higher, prior to January 25, 2019 and from March 1, 2019, due to his service-connected depressive disorder alone causing him to be in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of loss of use resulting from his disabilities.

Service connection for a cervical spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis is granted. An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left hip strain, limitation of extension is denied. Entitlement to psychiatric disorder (borderline personality disorder, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder) is remanded.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease and related conditions have necessitated a higher level of care, including hospitalization and skilled home health care. The Board has granted SMC at the (r)(2) rate based on this need.

The Veteran's HCL was granted a 100 percent rating and an effective date of March 30, 2012.,Service connection for MDD was granted with an effective date of July 9, 2024. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted from this date.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 14, 2019, for the award of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a 100% rating for depressive disorder with anxious distress is denied. The Board found that the appropriate effective dates are January 14, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to a deficiency in the record prior to the decision on appeal. The Veteran's depression claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is manifested as occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, judgment, thinking or mood. The appeal for an initial 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder has been granted.

The Veteran's GAD and related conditions are granted a 70% rating from January 5, 2023. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is also granted as secondary to the service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and migraine headaches, but denied all other claims due to lack of evidence meeting VA standards for a current disability.

The Veteran's claims for depression, bruxism, IBS, and migraines are denied as they are considered part of her service-connected PTSD. The Veteran is granted a 70% rating for PTSD.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the remaining issues due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for his service-connected panic disorder, lumbosacral strain, OSA, bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and insomnia have been denied.,Specifically, the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for panic disorder on appeal from the August 2024 rating decision was denied.