Depression decisions — 2001

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected major depression with anxiety, chronic undifferentiated schizophrenia is being remanded due to the need for additional VA and private medical records pertaining to treatment of his psychiatric disorder. The RO must also determine whether SSA disability benefits have been awarded to the veteran.

Your claim for an increased evaluation for major depressive disorder has been resolved as the RO granted a total schedular (100%) rating effective May 28, 1997. As this resolves your appeal, it is dismissed.

The veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of both knees was denied. The claim for increased rating for major depressive disorder was partially granted, with a 50% rating effective from June 8, 1998.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, finding that the evidence showed sufficient and sustained improvement.

The veteran's service-connected major depression is determined to be permanent and of such nature that there is no likelihood of improvement, meeting the criteria for basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, psychosis, anxiety disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since May 21, 1998 and increased to 70 percent effective October 27, 1999.,Since then, the veteran's psychiatric disability has resulted in total social and industrial inadaptability.

The VA has granted a 50 percent evaluation for the veteran's PTSD with depression, effective from August 31, 2001.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such an exceptional quality as to render her unable to obtain or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy during service, and thus his lay testimony alone is insufficient to establish the occurrence of the claimed stressors. The service records do not corroborate or verify any specific in-service stressful events reported by the veteran. Therefore, the claims for PTSD, Depression, and Skin Condition (Boils) are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder and his claim for service connection for PTSD. The appeal is remanded to obtain additional information from the veteran regarding potential stressors during service.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent, the highest possible rating, due to total occupational and social impairment caused by persistent delusions or hallucinations and a persistent danger of hurting self or others.

The Board has determined that the veteran's paranoid schizophrenia with depression is related to his active military service and grants this claim.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's PTSD, which was initially granted in April 1996 with a 10 percent disability evaluation. The case has been remanded multiple times due to procedural issues and development needs.

The Board found that the veteran's neuropsychiatric disability was not incurred in or related to service, and thus denied his claim.

The Board denied service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression, right hip disability, myositis, degenerative arthritis, and back disability. The left knee condition was granted a 10 percent rating.

The veteran's PTSD became totally disabling on February 25, 2001, and he is granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and examinations to assess the veteran's psychiatric condition and his ability to work.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.