Depression — all decisions

The Board granted an increased rating of 50 percent for the period from March 28, 2020 to January 19, 2021 and denied a rating in excess of 50 percent from January 19, 2021 to April 12, 2022. The Board also denied a rating in excess of 70 percent from April 13, 2022.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder renders him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, granting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the purposes of special monthly compensation.

The Board denied service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis, left ankle achilles tendinopathy, post-traumatic (concussion) headaches, and TBI. The appeal for an earlier effective date was also denied.

The Board granted an effective date of March 23, 2022 for the award of service connection for PTSD and depression, as well as a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based solely on these conditions. Eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance was also granted from this date.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a migraine disorder, and vertigo as the evidence did not support a link to the Veteran's service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance, effective December 8, 2025.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to preclude his participation in any regular substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability for treatment purposes only under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 17, as additional evidence and examination are needed.

The Veteran was granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance from July 28, 2023, through September 21, 2024.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder and for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The appeal for service connection for depression was dismissed as it is subsumed by the already service-connected PTSD. A 50 percent rating for cluster headaches was granted, and a higher rating for autoimmune hepatitis was denied.

The Board granted service connection for depressive disorder, right foot bunion, and left knee strain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis.

The Board denied the claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, finding that the proper effective date is February 13, 2023.

All appeals for service connection and increased ratings were dismissed due to concurrent elections in the Supplemental Claim.

The Board denied an initial evaluation greater than 50 percent for major depressive disorder with insomnia disorder, finding the Veteran's symptoms were adequately represented by a 50 percent rating.

The appeal concerning the issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD due to military sexual trauma and major depressive disorder, is dismissed without prejudice due to the Veteran's death.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of an acquired mental health condition, including PTSD, major depressive disorder (MDD), and anxiety due to a need for additional evidence.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to a lack of evidence supporting the claimed in-service stressors and no current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings, TDIU, and earlier effective dates for DEA and SMC.

The Board granted readjudication of the claims for service connection for headaches, a sleep condition (OSA), Parkinsonism (including Parkinson's disease), unspecified depressive disorder, CAD with atrial fibrillation, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy based on new evidence. The claim for hyperhidrosis was denied as no new relevant evidence was received.