Depression decisions — 2003

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his depression secondary to chronic pain is being remanded due to the need for additional medical information and a new psychiatric examination.

The Board found that a chronic depressive disorder was not present during the veteran's military service or within one year of his separation, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection based on direct service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.

The veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent since March 2, 1992. The effective date for service connection of low back disorder with arthritis has been set to April 18, 1975.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, claimed as manic depression/bipolar disorder, requires additional development due to incomplete medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected as a result of a personal assault in service, and all reasonable doubt has been resolved in favor of the claimant.

The Board granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder effective March 4, 1999 and assigned a 50% disability rating. The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date was denied. Increased ratings were granted for Major Depressive Disorder from March 4, 1999 to February 5, 2001 and beginning on February 6, 2001. A compensable rating was assigned for internal derangement of the left knee from June 14, 1991 to February 28, 1994. The veteran's claim for a higher rating for internal derangement of the left knee beginning March 1, 1994 was denied. A compensable rating was assigned for left wrist disorder from November 29, 1990 to November 12, 2002. The veteran's claim for a higher rating for right hip disorder beginning November 13, 2002 was granted.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of service connection for residuals of frozen feet and a psychiatric disorder (depression) in May 1998. Since then, new evidence has been submitted but it does not establish a clear link between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD, was incurred in service due to a personal assault during her military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including knee disorders and a psychiatric disorder. The decision also denied an increased rating for hearing loss in the left ear.

The veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation of asbestosis was denied. However, his anxiety disorder with depression received a higher initial rating from the RO.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for stress and depression, finding that there was no evidence of a current psychiatric disorder resulting from events in service.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to unemployability was granted, effective from December 14, 1994. The RO assigned a 100 percent evaluation for schizophrenia as of January 21, 1998.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder and found no evidence to support service connection for any part of his claimed conditions. The Board concluded that the veteran's psychiatric symptoms are not related to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, depression, an anxiety disorder and a chronic sleep disorder, as well as his claim for sterility. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with depression, and a chronic eye disorder, including cataracts. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if there was a relationship between the veteran's service-connected psychiatric disabilities and his alcohol abuse, which could affect whether he suffered from an alcohol-related disability that was due to or aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a depressive disorder was received on November 27, 1996 and an effective date of November 27, 1996 is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for depression, fatigue, joint and muscle pain, weakness, diarrhea, stomach pains, hyperventilation, memory loss, and insomnia as due to an undiagnosed illness. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active military service.

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