Depression decisions — 2001

The veteran's major depression is rated at 50 percent, his arteriosclerotic heart disease remains at 60 percent, and his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he already has a schedular 100 percent rating.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected anxiety neurosis with history of depression warranted a 30 percent disability rating, which is the current rating for this condition.

The VA has granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent for dysthymic disorder and somatization disorder with history of anxiety, depression, adjustment disorder, and dependent traits.

The Board has granted service connection for Reiter's syndrome and a mood disorder with depression, both effective July 15, 1996.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for organic brain syndrome with a history of senile dementia and an increased disability evaluation for psychoneurosis, anxiety-depression. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depression with psychotic features warrants a 100 percent schedular rating, effective from November 7, 1996.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal, leaving no issues for the Board to consider.

The Board found that the veteran did not timely perfect an appeal with respect to the February 1997 rating decision denying his attempts to reopen his service connection claims for residuals of gunshot wound to the head, eye condition, and depression. As a result, the Board has no jurisdiction to consider these issues.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a skull fracture with concussion, finding that his headaches were symptoms of the service-connected condition and not separate disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, disability manifested by high cholesterol, stomach disorder, deviated nasal septum, headaches, sinus disorder, and residuals of a cold injury due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.

The veteran's major depression is rated at 70 percent effective from November 1998, and his patellofemoral pain syndrome of the knees are each rated at 10 percent effective from November 1998. The lumbosacral strain with herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent effective from November 1998.

The VA denied the veteran's request for an increased evaluation of his PTSD, currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are denied due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The veteran's PTSD was granted service connection and assigned a 70 percent disability rating effective February 22, 1999.

The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD, effective October 29, 1999. The veteran's symptoms have been characterized as occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board found no evidence of a causal nexus between the veteran's active military service and his diagnosed conditions, including GERD, right CTS, and degenerative joint disease of the right elbow. Service connection was denied for these conditions.

The Board finds no effective date earlier than March 14, 1995 for the award of compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for depression and PTSD due to the lack of a formal claim within one year of the onset of the psychiatric disorder.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and verification of stressors during service.

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