Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial evaluation of 50 percent for major depressive disorder has been granted, effective from June 24, 2021. The decision also grants entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for unspecified depressive disorder has been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to a higher disability rating for parkinsonism and TDIU due to pre-decisional errors in obtaining adequate VA medical examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is causally related to his military service. Service connection for PTSD was not established due to unverified stressors.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective June 2, 2017. The DEA benefits claim for the Veteran's child or surviving spouse is also granted as of June 2, 2017. The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of October 21, 2014, for the award of service connection for PTSD with alcohol use disorder and major depressive disorder is granted. The issues of entitlement to a TDIU and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for unspecified depressive disorder was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his symptoms and functional impairment.

The Veteran's GAD and MDD are etiologically related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and knee disabilities, were denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of these conditions.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis of bilateral knee disability or other specific conditions such as gout, left foot disability, right foot disability, left ankle disability, or right ankle disability.

The Veteran's attorney withdrew the appeal for service connection for depression.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including major depressive disorder, migraine headaches, bilateral hearing loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and tinnitus with BPPV, have combined to prevent him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful course of employment. The Board has granted TDIU for the period from April 15, 2023.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder with depression, and unspecified anxiety disorder, is rated at 70 percent effective January 19, 2016. The Veteran also received a grant of TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on several conditions, including migraines, bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids, and psychiatric disorder, was denied. The rating for migraine headaches remains at 50 percent, the maximum allowed under current criteria. Ratings for other conditions were also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder, and alcohol use disorder. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service experiences and current diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected orthopedic disabilities necessitate the need for aid and assistance of another to care for herself or protect her from daily environment hazards.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with MDD because the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, ADHD, depression with peripartum onset, phobias, and postpartum mood disorder, was incurred in service and granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to a service-connected back disability due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for high blood pressure, headaches, and any acquired psychological disorder (including anxiety, depression, and PTSD) due to service connection. The Veteran's current diagnoses include hypertension, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychological disorder such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD. A VA examination is needed to address these issues.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective January 8, 2020. The Board found that the Veteran experienced occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, unprovoked anger and irritability, hypervigilance, extreme avoidant behavior, strained relationships, and memory loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to August 28, 2020. The evidence does not show that his service-connected conditions alone prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.