Depression decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depression warrants a 70 percent rating, considering all symptoms and their impact on her ability to function effectively in social and occupational settings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, bilateral farsightedness, and severe depression. The decision found that new evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen his claim for hearing loss, and that farsightedness is not a compensable disability. The Board also concluded that there was no evidence linking the veteran's current depression to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service personnel records and outstanding VA medical records. The veteran is seeking service connection for depressive disorder.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for a thymoma tumor, myasthenia gravis with respiratory disorder, and major depressive disorder as secondary to the veteran's service-connected thymoma tumor.

The Board has granted service connection for major depression and an increased rating of 10 percent for chrondromalacia of the right knee. The TDIU claim is still pending.

The veteran's service connection claims for pes planus and an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as depression, were denied. The claim for a higher initial rating for low back disability was also denied.

The Board found no evidence of a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, as a result of service. The veteran's claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for major depression and a pulmonary disorder due to asbestos exposure, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service event or chronic disability. The claimant is not entitled to the benefit of the doubt as he did not provide sufficient medical evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, characterized by schizophrenic reaction and major depressive disorder, is currently rated at 50 percent due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a depressive disorder, to include 'sleep problems', as it is not shown to have been present in service or related to a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for major depression with anxiety, effective from the date of the original claim. The veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability is dismissed as moot due to her current employment status.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for PTSD and depression. The veteran's representative requested a VA examination, which is necessary to determine if her current psychiatric conditions are related to her period of service.

The veteran's epilepsy is rated at 60% and his depression is separately evaluated. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is related to service or secondary to her service-connected hysterectomy. The appeal will be remanded for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The veteran's major depression is not presumed to have been incurred in service, but the issue remains pending as the claim for PTSD is reopened.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a depressive disorder, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his previously denied claim.

The veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, effective February 19, 2004. The appeal for an increased rating prior to that date remains denied.

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

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the Anchorage VARO. The issues of service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder remain pending.