Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including left knee instability and PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (major depressive disorder and IVDS) render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have an acquired psychiatric disorder in service or for many years thereafter, and therefore denied her claims of entitlement to service connection for depression and anxiety.,The Board also found that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of chronic fatigue condition during the appeal period, and thus denied her claim of entitlement to service connection for chronic fatigue.

The Board finds that the Veteran's stressor, including being abused and mistreated by his superior and peers following release from service, occurred during his period of active service. Therefore, service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with his depressive and panic disorders, resulted in significant occupational and social impairment prior to January 28, 2013. The Board granted a rating of 70 percent for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression, panic disorder, and agoraphobia has been rated at 50 percent since December 29, 2008. The Board found that the disability does not warrant a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and entitlement to nonservice-connected pension benefits prior to March 1, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorders are related to service, including her reported harassment and personal assaults in service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety and/or depressive disorders. The AOJ will obtain additional records from the San Antonio VA Medical Center, any ongoing VA treatment records since January 2013, private treatment records if identified, as well as Social Security Administration disability records. If in-service stressor events are corroborated, a VA examination will be scheduled.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be caused by his service-connected thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease. The Board also finds that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder and depression, which is at least as likely as not related to his service or secondary to his service-connected thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to service and the Board finds that she has a current diagnosis of this condition. The other psychiatric disorders are not currently addressed as they were not specifically mentioned in her claims or during the hearing.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, primarily PTSD and recurrent severe Major Depressive Disorder, has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board finds that a higher rating is warranted for the entire initial rating period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder has been granted. The Board finds that the Veteran currently meets the criteria for PTSD due to his active service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his service treatment records and stressor verification.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new examination. The other claims are also being remanded as no SOC has been issued.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the Veteran's claimed conditions as there is no evidence of a direct relationship between his active duty service and any current disabilities.

The Veteran was granted a 70 percent evaluation for his PTSD with depressive disorder effective July 13, 2012. He is also entitled to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder NOS, mood disorder NOS, depressive disorder NOS, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 17, 2006 for the grant of service connection for depressive disorder and a 30 percent rating.