Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since April 10, 2014. The Board has now granted a higher rating of 70%, effective from the date of the June 2021 decision.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression is dismissed.,A rating of 50 percent for adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression is granted, effective from the date of the Veteran's hearing.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for anxiety and depressive disorder was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating. His TDIU claim prior to June 8, 2016, was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and increased disability ratings for his back condition and sciatic nerve impairment due to conflicting evidence regarding the diagnosis of PTSD and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and chronic depression has been denied by the Board. The evidence shows that her symptoms include suicidal ideations, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, continuous depression affecting her ability to function effectively, increased anger and irritability, depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss, an impairment of short- and long-term memory, disturbance of motivation and mood, and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances. However, these symptoms are characterized as mildly to moderately severe with similar impacts on her daily social and occupational functioning.

The Board has ordered remand for a new opinion regarding the service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, secondary to service-connected spinal stenosis with spondylolisthesis. The claim is also remanded for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD have been rated at 70 percent effective June 19, 2014. The Board found that the symptoms caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The appeals for increased disability ratings and TDIU were dismissed due to the Appellant's death.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and remanded the issues regarding service connection for Acquired Psychiatric Disorder, initial compensable rating for Left Hand Disability, and initial compensable rating for Left Hand Scar. The case is sent back to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for mental health disorders and diabetes mellitus, type II due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's psychiatric disability is being evaluated again, and his diabetes may be related to his diagnosed psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depressive disorder, is rated at 100 percent effective April 5, 2016. The Board also granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance effective April 5, 2016.

The Veteran's LLE and RLE radiculopathies are granted with a 10% rating, effective August 31, 2010 for LLE and December 18, 2014 for RLE. Service connection is granted for LUE neuropathy but depression service connection is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has remanded the issue of secondary service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to February 10, 2015. Effective May 29, 2013, the Veteran was granted SMC based on his left knee disability.

Effective February 17, 2017, a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.,Effective March 29, 2021, a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to care for his daily personal needs without assistance from others, or unable to protect himself from the hazards and dangers of daily living on a regular basis. The Board denied entitlement to SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to lack of evidence showing he is bedridden or so helpless that he requires regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's DM is rated at 20 percent, and he was granted TDIU and DEA benefits effective October 2, 2014. The claim for a higher rating for DM remains denied.

Service connection is granted for a low back disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and major depressive disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability.,Service connection is denied for a right knee condition and a left knee condition.

The Board has vacated its decision and remanded several issues, including earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings. The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is currently rated at 50%.