Depression Board decisions

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for assignment of a TDIU and has been reasonably shown not to be able to engage in substantial gainful employment due to his combination of service-connected disabilities, considered in conjunction with his education level and prior work experience.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder resulted in total occupational and social impairment on and after January 25, 2008. Prior to that date, the disability was manifested by reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is found to be incurred in service. The Board finds that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder as a result of suffering injuries related to an incident where he was blown across the flight deck from a jet engine blast.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected psychiatric disorder was denied. The Board found that the disability did not more nearly approximate the criteria for a 70 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's statements regarding his exposure to hostile military activity during service are credible, and he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. As such, service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is being remanded due to insufficient information provided by the Veteran to corroborate his reported inservice stressors. The evidence suggests that he may have a current psychiatric disorder related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues for a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a current diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service combat. The Veteran is now entitled to a 100% rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying the circumstances of deaths aboard the USS Forrestal. A psychiatric examination is also required to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to service or caused by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims file.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, that was caused by his service and denied the claim.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance (A&A).

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's variously diagnosed psychiatric disabilities, with particular focus on whether they are related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claim due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination, and it is requested that both the Veteran and his representative be notified of the scheduled examination.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent disabling, effective November 6, 2009. The claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and PTSD have been reopened, and the Board finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD related to his fear of hostile military activity during his service in the Persian Gulf War. Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Board has found that the Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are at least as likely as not related to her military service, including verified in-service sexual assaults. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection for dysthymic disorder, claimed as depression; type 2 diabetes mellitus; and seizure disorder are still pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination. The rating reduction of the evaluation of disc protrusions at L4-L5 and L5-S1 with mass effect on the right S1 nerve root from 40 percent to 10 percent, effective July 1, 2014, is also remanded for further review.