Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective November 14, 2008. The disability picture more closely approximates a 70 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current major depressive disorder is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's wife has multiple disabling conditions that require the aid and attendance of another person, qualifying him for SMC benefits. The claims for service connection for right shoulder impingement syndrome, hypertension as secondary to PTSD, and coronary artery disease (CAD) as secondary to PTSD are denied.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU based on her service-connected major depression has been granted, with an effective date of the Board's May 2013 decision.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since March 8, 2012. The symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, mood, and ability to establish effective relationships.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the inadequacy of the January 2015 examination, which did not address other psychiatric diagnoses and did not provide an adequate rationale for its conclusion.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective February 2, 2009. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in unemployability since that date.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a request for a videoconference hearing.

For the period prior to May 11, 2011, the Veteran's PTSD with major depression was productive of occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.,From May 11, 2011 onwards, the disability picture has been characterized by reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as disturbances of motivation and mood, difficulty establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's memory loss disability is distinct from his diagnosed depressive disorder and related to service. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records, SSA records, and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on several conditions and special monthly compensation (SMC) have been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease is rated at 60 percent effective May 22, 2014. Prior to that date, the claim for an increased rating was granted but not yet assigned a specific percentage.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying the Veteran's claimed stressors. A VA examination is also required to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders present during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board found no evidence of a psychiatric disability incurred or aggravated by service, and the Veteran's current depressive disorder is not related to his military service.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including scheduling a hearing. The Veteran's claims of reopening PTSD and service connection for depression are pending.

The Veteran's alcoholism and drug addiction are deemed to be the result of his own willful misconduct, resulting in a denial of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent disabling since April 21, 2011. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been granted. The Board finds that her current depression disability may be related to her military experiences, including witnessing injuries and deaths during the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.