Depression Board decisions

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depression have been rated at 50 percent since January 12, 2011. The initial rating has now been increased to 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of 70 percent for his generalized anxiety disorder with depression has been withdrawn.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the passage of time and the need for updated medical evaluations. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings will be reconsidered after all new evidence is obtained.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder to include major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder caused total occupational and social impairment from March 18, 2013. The VA assigned a 70 percent rating for this period.

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety Disorder have been rated at 50 percent since December 1, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional medical records and employment information, and for a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran has major depression related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the initial increased ratings for PTSD and major depressive disorder prior to November 16, 2011, and higher than 70 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity throughout the entire appeal period, warranting a 50 percent rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, characterized as PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder and Psychotic Features, has been productive of total occupational and social impairment prior to March 25, 2014. The Board granted a 100 percent rating for this condition effective March 25, 2014. As the grant of a 100 percent rating renders moot the appeal for TDIU prior to March 25, 2014, that issue is no longer before the Board.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits has been denied as he does not meet the criteria of being permanently and totally disabled from non-service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service, including his involvement in riots in Seoul, South Korea. The appellant will also be provided with their complete VA treatment records from March 2016 to present.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the Houston RO. The issues of service connection for depression, unspecified hip pain, and a right knee condition are still pending.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 50% and his pulmonary sarcoidosis with bronchitis and reactive obstructive airway disease is rated at 60%. Both conditions meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, including as due to his service-connected disabilities, is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder with chest pain is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and an examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder. The evidence shows a nexus between her current conditions and her military sexual trauma during service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, is related to his active service. Service connection for these conditions has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining disciplinary records and requesting an examination to address whether any psychiatric disorder preexisted service and underwent a permanent increase in severity.