Depression decisions — 2003

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left hip, leg, and knee pain, residuals of a concussion, and depression as due to Accutane use during military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder warrants an initial rating of 30 percent, effective from the date of the claim for service connection.

The veteran's anxiety disorder, with depression and somatization features, is currently rated at 30 percent disabling. The Board found that the condition does not warrant a higher rating based on the symptoms described.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for PTSD and a need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has granted a 100 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected depressive disorder, which is currently rated as 50 percent disabling.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD and depression are service-connected, with the diagnosis being based on credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor related to personal assault.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is related to his service and grants service connection for this condition. The psychiatric disorder claim remains pending as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding its relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Major Depressive Disorder is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected bilateral knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and information from service records, as well as attempts to locate witnesses who may corroborate his claims of racial discrimination in Vietnam.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including depression, anxiety, memory problems, lack of concentration, PTSD, varicose veins, jungle rot, bilateral leg disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral foot disability, migraine headaches, and sleep disorder. The reasons provided were that there was insufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Board found that the veteran's currently diagnosed psychiatric disorders are not related to his military service or any incident therefor, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the appellant was not insane on October 8, 1973 when he committed a robbery offense and thus his discharge from military service under dishonorable conditions is valid.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety with insomnia.

The Board denied the veteran's claim as his son was not permanently incapable of self-support prior to reaching 18 years of age.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for depression, increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and heart murmur, and a total rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disability.

The veteran's service-connected major depression and post-operative residuals of a right knee injury are currently rated at 10 percent, while his tendonitis of the left knee is rated at 10 percent. The RO has granted these ratings based on reopening of claims due to new evidence.

The Board has restored a 100 percent schedular rating for depression due to seizure disorder, and the claim of service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for nonservice-connected pension, and dismissed his appeals concerning service connection for depression and entitlement to TDIU. The case is remanded for further development related to PTSD, tinnitus, and left forearm disability.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder were not incurred or aggravated by service, as they pre-existed his active duty. The Board concluded that there was no evidence to support an aggravation of these conditions during service.