Depression Board decisions

The Board has withdrawn the appeal of service connection for a prostate disability and has remanded several other issues related to various disabilities, including cervical spine, lumbar spine, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, foot, upper extremity, lower extremity neuropathies, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are now pending again with the RO.

The Veteran's loss of balance associated with Parkinson's disease is rated at 30 percent, the maximum available under the applicable diagnostic code.,Residuals of Parkinson's disease manifested as tremor and muscle rigidity in the right upper extremity are rated at 20 percent.,Residuals of Parkinson's disease manifested as tremor and bradykinesia in the left lower extremity are rated at 20 percent.,Stooped posture associated with Parkinson's disease is rated at 20 percent.,Constipation associated with Parkinson's disease is rated at 10 percent.,Depression associated with Parkinson's disease prior to February 13, 2018 is rated at 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and the relationship between his current acquired psychiatric disorders and service. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and tinnitus due to inconsistencies in previous examinations and insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (dysthymic disorder and depression) due to a lack of substantial compliance with its previous remand directives. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other 1151 claims.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with anxiety and depression and insomnia, is granted as service-connected. For the period prior to July 20, 2018, his right knee patellofemoral arthritis is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including depressive and anxiety disorders, was not properly notified of a scheduled examination. Another remand is necessary to schedule a telephone or file review examination for her psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions regarding his mental health conditions during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that her service-connected conditions do not render it impossible for her to obtain or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and missing records. The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder is being reviewed again with a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent effective January 11, 2019. The claim for TDIU was granted on the same date.

The appeal regarding the initial evaluation for PTSD with MDD and the effective date of service connection is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU based on PTSD and prostate cancer.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person to perform personal care functions of everyday living or to protect himself from hazards and dangerous incidents.

The Veteran's TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance were granted effective June 27, 2011. The Board found that the Veteran met the schedular requirements for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities of depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss as of this date.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an adequate VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's diagnosed acquired psychiatric disabilities, including depression and PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD), is rated at a 70 percent disability rating. Effective August 8, 2016, the Veteran is granted TDIU and DEA eligibility.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than April 21, 2020, for the assignment of a 70 percent rating for his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with alcohol dependence is granted. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also granted and has an effective date of October 24, 2019.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation during the period on review, outside of the convalescent period. As such, a TDIU is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder. The decision finds that there is at least an even balance of evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's current major depressive disorder is related to his active duty service.