Depression decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed due to his request for withdrawal.

The Veteran has established service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, as his symptoms are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depressive disorder, is related to his active duty service. However, there is no evidence of a current disability for cold weather injuries or lower back problem/back pain that can be linked to his military service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety, depression, and memory problems. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the relationship between his current psychiatric disorders and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since October 1, 2014. Prior to that date, the rating was denied as his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his military personnel records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD with depressive disorder was denied. The RO granted a 70 percent rating effective June 11, 2012, and a 50 percent rating prior to that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, is related to his military service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, did not have their onset during service or due to an in-service event. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with other service-connected conditions, has resulted in total occupational and social impairment since April 13, 2009. The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective from that date, and also granted TDIU based on the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his employment and income information, as well as for obtaining treatment records from the VAMC Hampton. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder. The TDIU claim will also be referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for consideration.

For the period beginning July 8, 2003 to January 11, 2016, the Veteran's depressive disorder was rated at 30 percent.,From January 11, 2016, the Veteran's depressive disorder was rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The VA assigned a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD effective from March 2, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for service connection under the provisions of direct service connection.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder, was rated at 70 percent from July 3, 2003, through June 7, 2009. The effective date for the TDIU is set to June 8, 2008.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD with depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, and bilateral tinnitus. The effective dates remain June 24, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than anxiety and depression disorder, to include hallucinogenic persisting perception disorder. The issue of entitlement to service connection for hypertension is remanded due to the Veteran submitting a timely Notice of Disagreement.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent since June 28, 1985. As his only service-connected disability, the TDIU claim prior to March 24, 2004, is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a statement of the case on the issue of eligibility for a special clothing allowance.