Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, suicidal ideation, and several psychiatric hospitalizations. The Board finds that the disability picture most nearly approximates a 70 percent rating for PTSD.

The Board found no evidence of a current psychiatric condition and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, or any other psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically Major Depressive Disorder with anxious distress, is service connected on a secondary basis due to aggravation by her service-connected cervical spine disability and associated neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational background from December 17, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest schedular rating (100%) since July 22, 2009.

The Veteran's depressive disorder has been manifested by symptoms more closely resembling occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity throughout the time period of this appeal, warranting a 50% disability rating.

The Veteran withdrew his service connection claim for PTSD and increased rating claim for MDD before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a back injury and granted service connection. The Veteran also has been granted service connection for depression and bilateral knee arthritis.,Service connection is granted for lumbar disc disease, depressive disorder, and bilateral knee arthritis.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety and depression is related to his active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest possible disability rating of 100 percent for the entire period on appeal, and he is no longer entitled to a temporary total evaluation based on convalescence due to PTSD.

The Board has decided the appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and providing a VA examination.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The evidence shows symptoms consistent with occupational and social impairment but without total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected VA pension benefits was denied as he failed to provide requested information necessary to determine his eligibility, and the available evidence does not document permanent and total disability due to nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is currently service-connected for migraine headaches, major depressive disorder, right wrist disorder, and sinusitis. The combined rating for these conditions from July 10, 2006 to May 5, 2014 is 70 percent.,Prior to July 10, 2006, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU. However, she has been unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is a result of drug abuse during service, specifically his involvement in an assault involving illegal substances. As such, direct service connection cannot be established.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there is no diagnosis of PTSD and no link between any current psychiatric disorders and active service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been rated at 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and panic disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective May 10, 2010. The Board granted a TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

From February 28, 2008 to February 10, 2013, the Veteran's PTSD with depression was productive of occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas; however, total occupational and social impairment was not shown.,Since February 11, 2013, the Veteran has experienced total occupational and social impairment due to his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for obesity due to conflicting opinions and the need for further development. The Veteran's obesity is being reviewed with respect to her service-connected conditions, including major depression, status post parotidectomy/Frey's syndrome, hypothyroidism/Graves' disease, and hypertension.