Depression decisions — 2005

The VA determined that the appellant's PTSD symptoms, when considered alone, do not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent. The Board found that his nonservice-connected major depressive disorder does not affect this decision.

The Board found that the veteran's conditions, including weakness and lack of energy, memory loss, insomnia, sore muscles, joint aches, skin disability (intertrigo and tinea cruris), and psychiatric disability (depression and anxiety) were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to further develop the evidence and determine his current psychiatric diagnoses, their relationship to military service, and the severity of his service-connected psychophysiological gastrointestinal reaction.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and depression, finding that there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his previously denied claim. The Board also found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection due to lack of continuity of symptomatology and no medical evidence linking his current disabilities to service.

The veteran's major depressive disorder was granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent prior to August 6, 2003 and a subsequent increase to 50 percent from August 7, 2003.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically bipolar disorder and depression, is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for proper VCAA notice.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder. However, it is not established that a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder was manifested during active service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, psychiatric disorder (depression), and hemorrhoids. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression, due to service. The claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including depression, were not incurred during or aggravated by his military service and are not related to any occurrence or event therein.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and manic depression. The evidence does not establish a link between his military service and his current psychiatric conditions.

The veteran's major depression is rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent. The RO also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder, insomnia, TMJ, dark urine disorder, Chlamydia, and headaches on a direct basis. The skin disorder was not found to be related to service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and depression as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability, finding credible evidence of in-service stressors and medical nexus.

The veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rates for improved pension benefits from 2001 to 2003. His claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus secondary to Agent Orange exposure is pending due to additional development required, and his claims for psychiatric disability are also pending.

The veteran's major depression is rated at 70 percent, his left knee disability at 10 percent, and his bilateral hearing loss remains noncompensable. The total unemployability claim is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for manic depression, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented.

The veteran's obesity was denied service connection as secondary to his service-connected lower back disorder or major depressive disorder.,A rating of 50 percent for his major depressive disorder prior to April 15, 1997 was granted. A subsequent increase to 100 percent effective August 13, 1999.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in permanent loss of use of one or both feet, meeting the criteria for an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.