Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, and the Board finds that she meets the criteria for a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected major depression disorder has been granted a 30 percent rating, effective October 29, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and issuance of a Statement of the Case on the issue of service connection for headaches.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to his cognitive disorder status post motor vehicle accident in 2001, depression, and psychotic features has been established. The Board granted special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from 2001-2004 and a new psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and panic disorder without agoraphobia has been rated at 70 percent since September 29, 2014. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the condition caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to occasional suicidal ideation, near-continuous panic attacks affecting his ability to function independently, impaired impulse control, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances (including work or a worklike setting), and an inability to establish effective relationships.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD with depression and anxiety, as well as hypertension that is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The TDIU issue remains inextricably intertwined with the rating issue.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee pain and a rating in excess of 20 percent for his low back disorder. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was remanded but not addressed in this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for depression and CAD, status post coronary artery bypass graft, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety have been found to warrant a 100 percent rating.,Due to the Veteran's permanent housebound status as a result of his service-connected conditions, he is now entitled to special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since May 4, 2009. The rating is based on the severity and duration of his symptoms which include depressed mood, difficulty sleeping, auditory hallucinations, and suicidal thoughts.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder was, at least in part, caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus and grants secondary service connection for this psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed major depressive disorder did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty service. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, is therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been granted, and the Board is remanding the issue of an earlier effective date for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a rating of 70 percent prior to June 16, 2013.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD. The claim of increased rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 28, 2016 was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, variously diagnosed as anxiety disorder, NOS, adjustment disorder with mixed mood, depressive disorder NOS, mood disorder, NOS with depressive symptoms and major depressive disorder, is service-connected. However, there was no credible supporting evidence for PTSD related to any in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and left ear hearing loss were denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of PTSD or other psychiatric disorders that are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to insufficient evidence linking his current diagnoses to in-service stressors. The case will be reconsidered de novo.