Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent, reflecting total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a service connection for a psychiatric disorder is granted. The left wrist fracture residuals are now rated at 10 percent, effective July 6, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, residuals of a heat injury, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess her knee disabilities and consideration of the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted increased ratings. SMC at the housebound level has also been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence, including a need for VA examination and SSA medical records.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type II and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder, depression, and polysubstance abuse is being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (headaches and depression) render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a lack of recent VA examinations and records. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and adjustment reaction disorder with depression and anxiety are both being evaluated, as is his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder, was rated at a 70 percent disability rating for the period prior to July 29, 2015. For the period beginning July 29, 2015, the Veteran is currently in receipt of a 50 percent disability rating. The appeal regarding service connection and exposure basis is not addressed as it does not pertain to this decision.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU prior to October 16, 2008 are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and translations.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus was denied, and the psychiatric appeal was remanded. The diabetes mellitus increased rating appeal is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied in November 2011 and again in September 2013. The Board remanded the case for additional development. In May 2015, a VA examination showed that the Veteran met the criteria for PTSD based on in-service stressors but also had other psychiatric disabilities unrelated to service. The earliest date of entitlement was January 5, 2016.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as a 'helpless child' of her father due to insufficient evidence showing she was permanently incapable of self-support prior to turning 18 years old. The appellant had a history of employment and did not meet the criteria for being considered a helpless child.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder has been reopened. The case is remanded for further development including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, anxiety disorder NOS (PTSD spectrum/PTSD features), and depressive disorder NOS are granted. The claim for a back disorder is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depressive disorder, are related to his service-connected broken jaw from an assault during active duty. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pending TDIU claim and requests for further development of the major depressive disorder rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and the relationship between his diagnosed psychiatric disorders and service. The Veteran is required to provide more specific details about the alleged incidents, and a VA examination will be conducted to determine if PTSD is related to an in-service stressor.