Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and review of the Veteran's medical records, including VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of anxiety, PTSD, and depression are linked to service exposure, particularly her in-service stressors. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal was remanded due to the need for a supplemental statement of the case and an additional VA examination. The appeal is now pending again.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder has caused total occupational and social impairment since January 22, 2010. Therefore, a 100 percent schedular rating is granted for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent prior to November 24, 2014 and increased to 70 percent effective November 24, 2014.,For the entire period on appeal, the criteria for TDIU have been met due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence and the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders, including whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral restless arms, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness, has been denied. The Board finds that the Veteran does not currently have a disorder associated with bilateral restless arms and has not had such a disability at any point since filing her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including MDD, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation as of March 5, 2001. The effective date for the grant of TDIU is now set at May 13, 2004.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from April 28, 2003, through May 31, 2004. For the period of June 1, 2004, through May 8, 2005, the Veteran's major depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, schizophrenia, and depression, was not incurred or aggravated during his military service or within one year of a period of active service. The evidence does not support a finding that it is related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance and necessary adaptive equipment is denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria due to lack of loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet or hands, or permanent impairment of vision of both eyes.

The Board has found that the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD is related to stressful incidents that took place in service, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD, to include depression, was rated at 50 percent prior to August 14, 2017 and increased to 70 percent thereafter. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted (PTSD) while others were denied (hypertension).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and other conditions like Borderline Personality Disorder, Depression, and Anxiety, are not service connected. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and PTSD, finding that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or etiological link to her active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary depression has been rated at 70 percent since January 26, 2011. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability for this period.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression claims are being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current state of her disabilities. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with the PTSD and depression claims.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder have been rated at 50 percent since July 27, 2010. Since March 7, 2017, the rating has increased to 70 percent. The Board finds that his symptoms more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit due to his service-connected disabilities.