Depression decisions — 2001

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric condition, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), based on new evidence submitted by the appellant. The veteran's participation in Operation Greenhouse nuclear testing and exposure to first-degree burns from his boat fire are considered relevant factors.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression and the aggravation of a pre-existing gunshot wound to the right 4th toe have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board granted an 80% rating for the veteran's skin disability with facial scarring, chronic pain and depression as of September 3, 1996. The effective date was set at January 8, 1998.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for fatigue, memory loss, sleep problems, isolationism, irritability, lack of concentration, depression, sexual dysfunction, lumps in different parts of the body, and skin lesions as chronic disabilities resulting from an undiagnosed illness was dismissed due to a failure to timely file a substantive appeal. The claim for PTSD remains pending.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for an increased rating for major depression with anxiety disorder and service connection for peptic ulcer disease secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression and dysthymic disorder. The case is being remanded to consider new evidence provided by a private psychologist in October 1999.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected psychiatric disability was granted, with a 30 percent evaluation effective from March 31, 1995.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability was not warranted earlier than March 7, 1995.

The veteran's claim for service connection for major depression was denied by the RO in February 28, 1975 due to a severe schizoid personality disorder found during his separation examination.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for higher evaluations for his low back disorder, left ulnar nerve neuropathy, migraine headaches, and mood disorder with major depressive features. The claim of service connection for a cervical spine disorder is pending. The appellant's irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease have not been granted a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not establish a nexus between his claimed conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the veteran's service-connected post-traumatic encephalopathy and his claimed dementia, Parkinson's disease, and depression.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder. However, the Board also found that the claim is not well-grounded. The case is being remanded for further development under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran's dysthymic disorder with history of anxiety traits is currently manifested by moderate symptoms, including disturbances of motivation and mood, resulting in reduced reliability and productivity. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent have not been met.

The Board has granted the veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence submitted is new and material, as it pertains to the issue at hand.

The Board has restored the veteran's evaluation to 50 percent for major depression with anxiety and granted an increased rating. The veteran is also entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to determine the current severity of the veteran's service-connected hypothyroidism with depression. The issue will be readjudicated based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depression and paranoia and schizoaffective disorder clearly and unmistakably preexisted service and were not aggravated thereby. The RO is directed to obtain all pertinent treatment records, including those from The Meadows (March 1987), Ridgway Hospital (1990), St. Mary's Regional Hospital, and any other relevant medical records. A VA psychiatric examination should be scheduled for the veteran to determine the correct diagnosis(es) of her psychiatric disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to her service or any incident therein. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a preexisting knee disorder in service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were granted, with a 50 percent disability rating effective June 16, 2000. The service-connected depressive disorder and pain are secondary to the service-connected residuals of a laceration of the left buttock.