Depression decisions — 2001

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the veteran's symptoms are consistent with PTSD and can be related to a condition that began while he was on active duty. The RO will further develop the record and consider the issue of the appropriate rating for the veteran's psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder does not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent, as her symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder, skin disorder, and psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression). The decision also addressed his obesity claim.

The veteran meets the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance due to mental incapacity.

The VA determined that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder with depression is currently rated at 50 percent disabling and denied his request for an increased evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render her unemployable on an ascertainable date prior to September 12, 1997 and denied the claim for an earlier effective date.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the relationship between his current medical conditions and military service.

The veteran's major depression with dysthymic disorder has been rated at 100 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The Board also found that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disability and granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board found that there was material improvement in the veteran's service-connected psychoneurotic disorder, specifically while she was employed full-time. As a result, the reduction from a 50 percent evaluation to a 30 percent evaluation for her depressive disorder with tension headaches is denied.

The veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. The claim has been remanded due to incomplete records from Air Force hospitals.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric condition is not service-connected, as it arises from his long-standing history of drug abuse and personality disorder.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for major depression and nonservice-connected pension, including extraschedular entitlement to pension under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.321(b)(2). The appeal is remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depression is related to service and has granted service connection.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), currently rated at 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp and major depressive disorder are related to his active duty service.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for his service-connected PTSD and Reactive Depression was denied. However, he was granted a total disability rating based on unemployability due to his service-connected psychiatric disabilities.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not result in considerable industrial impairment or occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, thus denying a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an effective date prior to September 15, 1997 for service connection of major depressive disorder and his claim for increased evaluation. The RO found that no application was filed within one year of the November 1993 VA hospitalization.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and readjudication, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting comprehensive VA specialty examinations.

The Board has granted the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for depression and remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination. The claims for increased rating for lumbosacral strain and total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are also being remanded.