Depression decisions — 2015

The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic kidney disease and diabetic neuropathy. The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed depressive disorder NOS is likely the result of his active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder were found to not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 30 percent from January 10, 2006, to April 17, 2011, or 50 percent from April 18, 2011 to February 9, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and acquired psychiatric disorders, as well as his claim for an increased rating for chronic right ankle sprain with moderate arthrosis were all denied by the RO. The Veteran is currently rated at 20% for his right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with previous directives for further evidentiary development, including scheduling VA examinations and verifying the Veteran's contact information.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety disorder is rated at 100% throughout the appeal period, rendering moot his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent disabling since December 4, 2013. The rating was granted as her symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Adjustment Disorder, and Depression, is pending.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to symptoms including suicidal ideation; impaired short and long-term memory; disturbances of motivation and mood; difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances; suspiciousness; anxiety; and chronic sleep impairment. The Veteran is granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal to establish an effective date prior to December 21, 1995 for the grant of service connection for recurrent severe major depression with psychotic features is dismissed as it attempts to reopen a final rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities (CAD and depression).

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability related to service, specifically PTSD and depressive disorder. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded as there are issues with the current evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and ADHD are service-connected, while his Major Depressive Disorder is not. The Veteran was granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's current periodontal disease was caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, resulting in the grant of service connection for this condition. The initial disability rating for PTSD and major depressive disorder remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU rating effective May 30, 2007, and SMC at the housebound rate effective February 3, 2009. The Board found that he is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for depression, found no new and material evidence to reopen claims for hypertension and tinnitus, and did not assign a rating or effective date.

The Veteran's discharge from service was due to a service-connected mental disability, meeting the criteria for a benefits payment rate of 100 percent under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and a VA examination to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder. The examiner is requested to review all pertinent records associated with the claims file and provide opinions on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders had their onset during service or are causally related to his active service, and if any of these conditions are proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that an addendum opinion is needed to address whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected major depressive disorder. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service and VA treatment records, securing SSA disability benefits determination, and arranging a psychiatric examination.