Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is rated at a 100 percent effective March 16, 2022. The TDIU issue is moot as the PTSD rating has been granted. SMC for per 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s)(1) is also granted effective March 16, 2022.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for persistent depressive disorder, somatic symptom disorder, and alcohol use disorder have been granted in a prior Board decision. The appeal is now moot as the benefits sought have already been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder was incurred during service and is not aggravated by service, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is remanded due to the inadequacy of the VA examination and opinion provided in December 2019. The Board finds that a new examination and opinion are needed.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease with unspecified depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI residuals are rated at 100 percent effective July 2, 2022. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due solely to service-connected PTSD and persistent depressive disorder with TBI residuals is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on this finding.

The appeal concerning the issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided the case in favor of the Veteran, finding that more evidence is needed to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder was present prior to service and whether it is related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, is granted as service connected. The lumbar spine disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for PTSD due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's claimed stressors. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to verify the Veteran's reported incidents involving tank-related deaths and friendly fire.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of February 19, 2019 for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable initial rating for allergic rhinitis is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for GAD, depression, and PTSD due to insufficient evidence in the C&P opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an addendum opinion from a clinician that considers the Veteran's reported alcohol use during service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder and psychotic features, finding that the claim was received on October 16, 2017, which is later than when entitlement arose.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder. The decision finds that the Veteran's in-service event caused his current mental health conditions.

The Board has determined that there were errors in the initial decision regarding eligibility for enrollment in the PCAFC program, and thus the case is being remanded to obtain a new medical opinion from the CEAT.

The Board has already adjudicated the issue of a disability rating greater than 70 percent for service-connected psychiatric disability. The Veteran's claim is dismissed as it would require readjudication of this decision.

The Veteran's left knee meniscal tear was granted a separate 20 percent rating.,An initial disability rating greater than 30 percent for depressive disorder was denied.