Depression Board decisions

The Board has granted an effective date of April 17, 2008 for the award of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's major depression with PTSD and chest rash rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from April 17, 2008 through April 16, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with affective disorder and depression is rated at 70 percent since June 24, 2012. The effective date for this rating remains August 23, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, back condition, and prostate cancer, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from January 6, 2010, to June 21, 2010, and since July 1, 2016. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU have been met during these periods.

The Veteran's service-connected herniated lower lumbar disc is rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating on an extra-schedular basis is not warranted. The Veteran's other service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The issue is now before the Board for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder effective from November 24, 2004. The Veteran's claim was reopened on new evidence submitted after the initial denial of his claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for memory loss as a separate disability from his service-connected anxiety disorder, finding that there was no competent evidence of a current diagnosis of a distinct memory disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with depressive disorder was granted in a September 2010 rating decision, effective July 7, 2010. The earlier effective date of October 8, 1996 is granted based on the receipt of relevant official service department records that existed but had not been associated with the claims file when VA first decided the claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression and major depressive disorder not otherwise specified, finding that new evidence raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims. The Board also found that these conditions are related to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has ordered a new examination and requested additional evidence to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his military service. The appeal is currently on hold for further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to missing records and the need for additional development, including verification of combat stressors, a VA examination, and consideration of pre-service psychiatric conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that there was no legal entitlement to such a date prior to June 30, 2011.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% disability rating for major depressive disorder, finding that there was no material improvement in his condition since the March 2007 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and police reports, as well as for further examination of the Veteran's gunshot wound claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of his current psychiatric disabilities, and a VA orthopedic examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorder pre-existed her service from January 1991 to February 1991. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) due to secondary service-connected diabetes.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric condition that is related to service. The Veteran's symptoms are attributed to his dementia.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a need to provide notice under 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(4) regarding personal assault in service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder, is causally related to his service-connected prostate cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment.