Depression decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the appellant is in need of regular aid and attendance due to her multiple disabilities, which render her helpless or nearly so. As a result, she is entitled to special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder do not meet the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis as his employment experience has shown he is capable of engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions and disorders, but the Board is remanding these cases due to procedural issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for her claimed conditions, including a right elbow disability and left shoulder disability. The claim for an increased rating for gastritis with gastroesophageal reflux disease and hiatal hernia is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings for various service-connected conditions has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a grant of increased disability ratings.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for additional left knee disabilities as a result of VA surgery performed in April 1993, and is considering other service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and major depressive disorder was denied. The effective date for service connection for these conditions remains June 24, 2011.,The Veteran is not entitled to an earlier effective date prior to June 24, 2011 for the grant of service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for tinnitus, an increased rating for right shoulder arthritis, and an increased rating for right ankle degenerative joint disease have been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety remains pending.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating of PTSD with major depressive disorder and panic disorder prior to January 31, 2012. The Board dismissed the issue as withdrawn.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's major depressive disorder, effective April 8, 2010.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, are also on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been rated at 50 percent since February 27, 2006. The Board found that the symptoms warrant a higher rating to 70 percent due to occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and verifying stressors. The case will be returned to the Board for further appellate adjudication.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA Vocational Rehabilitation records and an addendum opinion from the April 2016 VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of her claims file, including obtaining records from Riverside Hospital and any SSA disability benefits records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with effective dates set at March 23, 2012 (for depression) and September 19, 2014 (for pes planus). The initial ratings assigned are 30 percent for depression and 10 percent for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining additional medical records and verifying his reported stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Morning Reports from the Veteran's active service units and reviewing accident reports at a U.S. Air Force Base in Germany.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, are related to his service. The claim for hypertension is also granted as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired depressive disorder was not shown in service and is not linked to his service. The evidence does not support a finding of secondary service connection based on his service-connected diabetes mellitus.