Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU and his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and alcohol abuse has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating since September 18, 2007.

For the period prior to May 13, 2014, the Veteran's anxiety disorder caused significant occupational and social impairment.,Effective May 13, 2014, his condition was rated at 100 percent due to a progression of his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and cause of the appellant's claimed disabilities, including whether they occurred during active duty service or other periods for which she would be entitled to compensation as a veteran.

The Veteran's claim for basic eligibility for Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits is granted as he served at least 30 continuous days on active duty after September 10, 2001 and was discharged due to a service-connected disability (major depressive disorder).

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence received since the June 2007 rating decision is new and material to establish a link between her current mental health conditions and in-service personal assaults.

The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder, and the Veteran's current mood disorder is not considered to be related to his military service.

The Veteran is unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected disabilities, which include headaches, major depressive disorder, lumbosacral strain, cervical strain, hearing loss of the right ear, status post nasal bone fracture, and a burn scar of the right forearm. As such, the criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and issuing a statement of the case for the issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's children, J.M. and N.W., were recognized as dependents for purposes of an increase in her compensation award effective June 9, 2010. The appeal is granted with the effective date set at October 7, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis under DSM-IV and whether any current psychiatric disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate has been denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating adequately reflects his disability. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder, with the stressors verified through deck logs of the USS Cimarron. The claim is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any injury, illness, or incident during service. Therefore, service connection for this condition was denied.

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary to address the Veteran's psychiatric claims, including his PTSD and other diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected other specified depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that there is reasonable doubt in favor of a higher rating. The symptoms described align with a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed regarding his claim for prostate cancer to include as secondary to herbicide exposure. The request for revision of the March 2006 decision based on CUE in the effective date of the 70 percent rating for PTSD with depression is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder were productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas prior to May 16, 2013. However, total social impairment was not demonstrated.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, depressive disorder, and PTSD, was denied. The dental disability claim was also denied.