Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disabilities have prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since at least March 6, 2012. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder and depressive disorder are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and GAD resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The Board found no evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his depressive disorder and compression fractures of L1 and L3, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since July 12, 2007. The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions alone preclude the Veteran from obtaining such employment.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and major depressive disorder do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100% rating from May 25, 2010 to August 8, 2018. The issue of entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot due to the Veteran being in receipt of a schedular 100% rating for PTSD. Special Monthly Compensation at the housebound rate is granted from May 9, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient information provided by the VA to verify stressors related to his alleged PTSD. The Veteran is also required to undergo a psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected disabilities, specifically depression and muscle relaxers for Depuytren's contracture.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's post-concussive syndrome, migraine headaches, and major depression are related to his parachute landing during ACDUTRA in June 1977. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence, TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, and sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and remanded the issue of service connection for depressive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran was also denied a TDIU as he did not show total occupational and social impairment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development of the record, including obtaining VA and SSA records.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 21, 2010 for the grant of service connection for chronic adjustment disorder with mixed depression is denied. The Board found no prior informal or formal claims for service connection before January 21, 2010.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, migraine headaches, and sleep apnea are granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes cavus and other disabilities.

The Veteran's headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus and unspecified anxiety disorder.,The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder is granted as related to his in-service diagnosis of adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, but remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD and depression, is granted service connection due to exposure to combat during Operation Just Cause in Panama.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings was denied, and the issues of rating his service-connected conditions were remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective from April 18, 2012. A TDIU was granted prior to August 1, 2015.