Depression decisions — 2004

The veteran is seeking an extension of educational benefits beyond the current date due to his left ankle injury and depression. The RO needs to obtain medical records related to these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining private treatment records and providing authorization for VA to obtain these records.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to incomplete VA records, inadequate VCAA notice, and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's depressive disorder is manifested by anxiety, insomnia, and social isolation with occupational and social impairment. However, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and further investigation is required.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide notification of the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with psychogenic back pain does not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that it is related to his military service. The claim for an increased rating for infectious hepatitis with psychophysiological gastrointestinal reaction remains denied.

The veteran's PTSD and associated depression have been rated at 30 percent since July 3, 1997.

The Board denied service connection for skin disorder, paranoid schizophrenia, and depression/anxiety disorders due to lack of legal merit as personality disorders are not considered disabilities for VA compensation purposes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a back injury and schizoaffective disorder with depression, as well as his requests for initial compensable evaluations for scars on his forehead and eyelid. The RO assigned a noncompensable (zero percent) disability rating for the scar of the left upper eyelid effective from April 2001.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for spondylolysis, L5, with spina bifida occulta and remanded both issues due to new evidence submitted. The issue of depression is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records and medical records relied upon concerning those records.

The veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, depression, kidney disorder, and Type II diabetes mellitus, as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. He also seeks a TDIU rating. The case must be remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than September 22, 1991, for a 100 percent rating for major depression with psychotic features.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to a fall in service. The veteran's other claims are addressed in the remand portion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to VCAA requirements, including a VA medical examination and readjudication of the service connection claims.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and earlier effective dates were granted, with the exception of his claim for TDIU.

The veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at the highest possible evaluation of 100 percent, and residuals of mammoplasty are rated as noncompensable.

The veteran is found to have PTSD due to in-service assault and service connection is granted.