Depression decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected Graves' disease is not considered a permanent and total disability, so his claim for a permanent 100 percent evaluation is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, alcohol and polysubstance abuse in remission, and personality disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with PTSD features has been found to cause occupational and social impairment, warranting a rating of 70 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression, are not related to her active duty service. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD or establish a link between her current symptoms and in-service stressors.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the etiology of his psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depressive disorder. The Board will also assess whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 10 percent, and her scar of the abdomen is not compensable. The Board found that her current symptoms do not warrant a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, NOS, has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas since March 17, 2009. He is currently rated at 50 percent for this condition.,The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at 30 percent since March 17, 2009. The Veteran has had very frequent completely prostrating attacks of migraines with severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating prior to May 1, 2007.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder(s) and whether it is at least as likely as not related to service, including verified combat experiences. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's MDD and PTSD are currently rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for evaluating psychiatric disabilities. The symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, anxiety, and attention deficit disorder, is related to an inservice sexual assault. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain an adequate VA examination and opinion, as well as additional Social Security Administration records. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the service connection issue.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for residuals of a nasal septoplasty and granted service connection for arthritis of both knees, as well as weight gain. The acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and PTSD) is not considered in this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence is rated at 50 percent, which has been in effect since March 1999. The Board found that the manifestations of his service-connected psychiatric disorders approximate near continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, mild memory loss, irritability, sleep impairment, nightmares, difficulty understanding complex commands, restricted affect, depressed mood, anxiety, disturbances of motivation and mood, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, and intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living. This results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD, including alcohol dependence, is rated at 70 percent disabling since July 9, 2014. The claim for service connection for drug usage secondary to PTSD has not been granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to evidence of potentially worsening PTSD symptoms, and a new VA examination is necessary to determine the current severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran is entitled to special monthly compensation by reason of being housebound due to her service-connected depressive disorder and cervical spine disability, as she meets the statutory criteria for a single disability rated at 100% disabling. However, she does not meet the requirement of having additional disabilities independently ratable at 60% or more when combined.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of service dates and obtaining VA and private treatment records. A supplemental examination is also required to address the Veteran's low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new opinion regarding his acquired psychiatric condition and an SOC on the issue of initial rating in excess of 30 percent for lung cancer associated with herbicide exposure.