Depression decisions — 2000

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD is not service-connected due to lack of credible supporting evidence for her in-service sexual assault stressor.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeals regarding service connection for PTSD, TMJ dysfunction, and an increased rating for major depressive disorder. The appeal for an earlier effective date for medication-induced candida thrush was also dismissed.

The veteran's major depression renders him unable to obtain or retain employment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating based on non-service-connected disabilities for pension purposes was denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board has ordered the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide further evidence that the appellant's psychotherapy needs, including the prescription of tranquilizers as required, are available at the Santa Fe Vet Center. The VA must also review the relevant evidence and readjudicate the claim seeking an extended fee-basis authorization.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was not well-grounded due to her pre-existing personality disorder and lack of in-service stressor, leading to a denial.

The veteran's unemployability due to his psychiatric disorders is recognized, and he is granted a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes on an extraschedular basis.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of a verified in-service stressor and the absence of medical evidence linking current symptoms to service. The veteran's dysthymic disorder with major depressive episodes was not found to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, were aggravated by his active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, and for a higher rating for postoperative status, left knee replacement. The claim for secondary service connection was not well-grounded due to lack of medical evidence linking the psychiatric disorder to his service-connected knee disability. The claim for increased rating for postoperative status, left knee replacement is denied as there is no additional functional loss beyond what is already accounted for by the current 30% rating.

The Board denied service connection for intermittent explosive personality disorder and hypertension, finding no competent evidence of a nexus between current disabilities and military service.,For the right knee disability, the veteran's complaints included pain with objective evidence of crepitance. For the left knee disability, the veteran also complained of pain with objective evidence of crepitance.

The VA denied service connection for bipolar disorder and major depression, finding that the conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well-grounded and therefore denied.

The veteran's service-connected major depression is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The thoracic spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent and does not warrant a higher evaluation under any applicable criteria.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for a mood disorder on a direct basis was dismissed due to withdrawal. The claim of secondary service connection for a mood disorder as related to his service-connected postoperative duodenal ulcer was denied as not well grounded.

The veteran's chronic sleep disturbance is granted as a component of and/or secondary to her service-connected Parkinson's disease.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there was no medical evidence linking her current depressive disorder to service.

The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for the veteran's chronic anxiety disorder with depression, effective from the date of the decision. The claim for TDIU remains denied as the evidence does not show that the service-connected disability alone precludes the veteran from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for galvanic poisoning, fibromyalgia, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD) are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of current disability related to these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and pes planus, do not preclude him from participating in all types of substantially gainful employment due to his educational background and occupational experience.