Depression decisions — 2005

The veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation of his anxiety disorder with depression was denied. The VA determined that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his service-connected asbestosis and spontaneous pneumothorax, which were evaluated under direct service connection.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current psychiatric condition to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence, resolving doubt in the veteran's favor. The TDIU issue will be remanded to allow for further review of his employment capacity.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including vestibular dysfunction, headaches, and major depression, were not incurred in service or related to any service-connected disability. The appeals for these issues have been denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a disc condition and major depression, as secondary to service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claim can be decided. The veteran's service records do not contain a specific psychiatric consultation report from August 30, 1976, and there are no VA examinations addressing his current psychiatric conditions.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression and the residuals of a failure of the segmentation of the lumbar spine with scoliosis, a history of back strain, and compression fracture with degenerative changes, prevent him from maintaining substantial gainful employment. As such, he is granted a TDIU rating.

The veteran's major depression was not manifested by social and occupational impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The veteran's depressed mood and associated difficulties with motivation were present but did not produce deficiencies in most areas over the period from January 28, 1999 through April 15, 2003.

The veteran is seeking a total rating due to service-connected disabilities, including his left arm disability and recently added Lyme disease. The case has been remanded for further adjudication of the claim, including service connection for depression.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records from two hospitals.

The Board found that the evidence submitted since the February 1998 rating decision was new but not material, and thus denied the veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claims of service connection for PTSD and degenerative dementia with depression.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at a 50 percent evaluation, reflecting significant impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The VA determined that the veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including adjustment disorder, panic disorder, and depression, are not related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD with depression did not have its onset in service and is not the result of an injury sustained, a disease contracted, or an event experienced in active military service. The veteran's migraine headaches also did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder is service-connected, and a noncompensable rating for his right eye corneal scar is granted.