Depression decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, were not related to his active military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of his claim (April 17, 2006), and he has been granted TDIU since August 13, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder did not result in total occupational and social impairment for the entire initial rating period, thus preventing a higher disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current bilateral knee disability, back disability, and psychiatric disability. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizoaffective disorder, PTSD, and major depressive disorder. The evidence shows that these conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder, headache, and acquired psychiatric conditions are not related to his military service.,The loss of sense of smell is also not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's major depression with PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to November 10, 2015, and a TDIU was granted effective that date.,Prior to November 10, 2015, the Veteran's major depression with PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD and depression, has caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board finds that a disability rating of 70 percent is warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (Depressive Disorder, Migraine Headaches, and Left Eye Injury) prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder are caused by his own alcohol abuse, which is not service-connected. Service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the symptoms presented.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including a depressive disorder and substance abuse disorder, are related to service and aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current depressive disorder is not related to his service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder was not incurred or aggravated in active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The symptoms have included depression, anxiety, nightmares, panic attacks that occur weekly or less often, chronic sleep impairment, and difficulty establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including Schizoaffective Disorder and Schizophrenia, was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected thoracolumbar strain.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for a VA examination and to obtain outstanding medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and vocational rehabilitation counseling folder. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for major depression will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board is remanding the case to attempt to obtain the Veteran's service personnel records, which may provide information about his early discharge from military service and potentially support his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding an initial rating for MDD and service connection for PTSD. Temporary total disability ratings have been granted due to hospitalization related to his service-connected psychiatric disabilities.