Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder was rated at 30 percent prior to April 30, 2013. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has resulted in severe impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating since May 10, 2010. The appeal is granted for this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including schizophrenia and PTSD, did not begin during service or are otherwise related to service. The genitourinary disability claim is also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 13, 2009, when she sought to associate her major depressive disorder with her service-connected migraine headaches. The Court vacated and remanded this decision, but the Board found that no earlier effective date could be granted as there was no evidence prior to February 2009 showing a connection between the Veteran's major depressive disorder and her service-connected migraine headaches.

The Veteran's PTSD has been found to cause total occupational and social impairment, warranting a disability rating of 100 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for PTSD and has also granted him service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and PTSD. The decision is based on new evidence provided since the previous denial in 2007.

The Veteran requested to withdraw her appeal for a higher disability rating of 70 percent or more for PTSD, dysthymic disorder, and depressive disorder not otherwise specified. As a result, the Board dismissed her appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a mental health examination and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for post-operative residuals of lumbar spine disorder, diabetes mellitus, an acquired mental disorder (presumably including cognitive disorder NOS and depressive disorder NOS), seizure disorder, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral knee disability. The claim for service connection for a right ear hearing loss was denied as the Veteran's hearing did not meet VA criteria for hearing loss. The claims for an increased rating for bilateral knee disability and entitlement to TDIU were also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression and PTSD, that can be related to his period of active duty military service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU has been fully resolved by the AOJ's January 2016 rating decision, as he is now in receipt of service connection for depressive disorder effective June 11, 2010. The appeal is therefore dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and clarifying the relationship between his service-connected depressive disorder and other psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA examinations and additional medical records. The claims for increased evaluation of chronic adjustment disorder with mixed features of anxiety and depression, as well as service connection for sleep apnea, will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran currently has a psychiatric disorder, whether any diagnosed conditions are related to service or other factors, and whether any current diagnoses were made in error. The appeal is being remanded due to the need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70 percent to 50 percent effective March 1, 2016, which the Board found improper.,The Veteran's psoriasis has not been rated in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The case has been remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's son, A.N., was not found to be permanently incapable of self-support prior to his 18th birthday due to various psychiatric and learning disabilities. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to February 6, 2013, did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms were considered mild and he was able to maintain social and occupational functioning.