Depression Board decisions

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.

For the period prior to August 23, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent.,From August 23, 2012, to December 1, 2015, his PTSD symptoms approximated those required for a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and remanded it for further development. The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are currently under consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA psychiatric examination. The issues of an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and entitlement to a TDIU rating are being addressed.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and needs further development before a decision can be made.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, are found to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, NOS, and denied his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The reasons given were that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. His major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, NOS, were found to have not been incurred in service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to new evidence, and finds a nexus between the Veteran's service and his cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to unclear employment status and the need for a VA examination to assess his ability to secure or follow gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and determined that his acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, are linked to service. The in-service episode of psychosis resulting in a diagnosis of organic brain syndrome secondary to drug ingestion is considered not due to willful misconduct.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to appellate review and the case is REMANDED for further actions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, dysthymic disorder (including dysthymia), and skin rash were previously denied in September 2009, September 2001, and September 2009 respectively. The new evidence submitted does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for substance abuse was found to be precluded as a matter of law due to his own willful misconduct.

The Veteran's claim for service connection was received on October 31, 2014. The effective date of the grant of service connection is therefore set to that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, needs further development due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.