Depression Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right femur disability, left femur disability, and right knee disability. The psychiatric disability other than a major depressive disorder remains on appeal.

The May 1998 rating decision denied service connection for a nervous condition, which the Veteran contends was improperly adjudicated as such. The Board finds no clear and unmistakable error in this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression causes total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU due to his hip disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection, as there was no medical nexus between the current psychiatric disorders and service. For TDIU, the combined rating from service-connected conditions (right and left hip disabilities) did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, and the Veteran's education and work history were considered in determining that he could still engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for depression, a neck disability, and left ankle disability. However, the Veteran's claims for increased ratings are denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The claim for a compensable rating for residuals of a right fourth metacarpal fracture was also denied. Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include major depressive disorder and an adjustment disorder).

The Veteran's service connection claim for major depressive disorder is granted. The issue of service connection for PTSD remains on appeal.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including Major Depressive Disorder and Binge Eating Disorder, has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity since February 27, 2014.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently evaluated at a 50 percent rating, which reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, restricted speech, difficulty concentrating, depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, and passive suicidal ideation. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claim for further development, including obtaining additional records and medical opinions to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical services during his hospitalization at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital from July 31, 2014 to August 13, 2014 are now covered by VA. The Board found that VA facilities were not feasibly available for the inpatient rehabilitation treatment he required.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, were not related to his active military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of his claim (April 17, 2006), and he has been granted TDIU since August 13, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder did not result in total occupational and social impairment for the entire initial rating period, thus preventing a higher disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current bilateral knee disability, back disability, and psychiatric disability. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizoaffective disorder, PTSD, and major depressive disorder. The evidence shows that these conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder, headache, and acquired psychiatric conditions are not related to his military service.,The loss of sense of smell is also not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's major depression with PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to November 10, 2015, and a TDIU was granted effective that date.,Prior to November 10, 2015, the Veteran's major depression with PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD and depression, has caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board finds that a disability rating of 70 percent is warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (Depressive Disorder, Migraine Headaches, and Left Eye Injury) prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.