Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD, along with other service-connected conditions, has resulted in total occupational and social impairment since April 13, 2009. The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective from that date, and also granted TDIU based on the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his employment and income information, as well as for obtaining treatment records from the VAMC Hampton. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder. The TDIU claim will also be referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for consideration.

For the period beginning July 8, 2003 to January 11, 2016, the Veteran's depressive disorder was rated at 30 percent.,From January 11, 2016, the Veteran's depressive disorder was rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The VA assigned a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD effective from March 2, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for service connection under the provisions of direct service connection.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder, was rated at 70 percent from July 3, 2003, through June 7, 2009. The effective date for the TDIU is set to June 8, 2008.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD with depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, and bilateral tinnitus. The effective dates remain June 24, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than anxiety and depression disorder, to include hallucinogenic persisting perception disorder. The issue of entitlement to service connection for hypertension is remanded due to the Veteran submitting a timely Notice of Disagreement.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent since June 28, 1985. As his only service-connected disability, the TDIU claim prior to March 24, 2004, is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a statement of the case on the issue of eligibility for a special clothing allowance.

The Veteran asserts that the evidence of record at the time of the October 2003 adjudication unquestionably supports a rating in excess of 10 percent for her hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease due to the types and severity of her symptoms.,The RO's failure to assign a disability rating for hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease with a separate disability rating for the post-treatment residual of hypothyroidism represents an incorrect application of the relevant regulatory provisions.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder, NOS is rated at 70 percent, which meets the criteria for a TDIU. The Board has granted both an increased rating and a TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional development is required before the Veteran's claim can be decided, including obtaining VA and private medical records, as well as a VA examination to assess the Veteran's competency level.

The Board finds that the Veteran has current diagnoses for PTSD, anxiety, and depression related to service. The Veteran's symptoms are consistent with a diagnosis of PTSD, and her stressor event is supported by credible supporting evidence. Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a separate and distinct left knee disability from his currently service-connected lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is found to be related to his service, with the Board finding it at least as likely as not that he currently has this condition due to his military service.,The Veteran's chronic bronchitis is found to be related to his service exposure to radiation and burn pits.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are found to have had its onset in service. Service connection is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder with depressive disorder prior to May 14, 2015, has been rated at 50 percent disabling.