Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU prior to February 22, 2013 due to her service-connected disabilities of irritable bowel syndrome, major depressive disorder, and hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, are not related to his active service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, Bipolar II disorder, and Depression is being remanded due to incomplete information and need for further examination.

The Veteran requested to withdraw her appeal for service connection for pancreatitis before the Board could issue a decision. The remaining issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and unexplained bleeding are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to May 4, 2011 and at 70 percent from that date. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,From May 25, 2012 onwards, the Veteran's PTSD remains rated at 70 percent. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran was granted TDIU prior to May 21, 2010. The claim for TDIU after that date is denied.

The Veteran's migraines have been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent, reflecting very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims, including obtaining deck logs and verifying his Reserve service. New VA examinations are also required for PTSD and left shoulder disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. Service connection was denied for depressive disorder, ischemic heart disease, and neuropathy.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development and clarification, including obtaining new VA examinations for his left knee condition and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service stressors or causal relationships to his current conditions. The initial compensable rating claim for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for clarification of his income during the appeal period and further examination to determine workplace limitations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, adjustment disorder, and PTSD, is being remanded due to the Veteran failing to report for a scheduled VA examination. The case will be reviewed after any additional development.

The Veteran's depression and mood disorder are currently rated at 50 percent, effective October 20, 2006. The symptoms include weekly panic attacks, anger and irritability, chronic sleep impairment, decreased memory and concentration, compulsive cleaning, and social isolation with difficulty establishing and maintaining work and social relationships.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for persistent depressive disorder with occasional anxious distress and assigned an initial disability rating of 50 percent effective September 20, 2011. The Veteran's appeal is limited to the issue of a higher rating for his lumbar DDD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as PTSD with major depressive disorder and cannabis use disorder in remission, has been granted a 70 percent rating from October 12, 2011 to February 20, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the submission of new evidence. The issues on appeal include a request for increased ratings for right shoulder impingement, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, as well as TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder prior to November 9, 2012 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as near-constant anxiety, a diminished affect, avoidance of crowds, chronic sleep impairment, difficulty establishing work and social relationships, and disturbances of motivation and mood. The Veteran's PTSD disability was rated at 30 percent prior to November 9, 2012.

The Veteran's symptoms of chronic PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder have been manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.