Depression decisions — 2006

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and vasospasms of the hands and feet, but denied service connection for low back disability. The veteran's current low back condition is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and review of new evidence, including SSA records. The veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder, back disorder, and cervical disc disease are also being reviewed.

The veteran's erectile dysfunction is not service-connected, but his depressive disorder is found to be aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. Service connection for the aggravation of his depressive disorder is granted.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left testicular trauma is granted, with the effective date being October 25, 2001. The appeal also includes a request for a compensable rating prior to December 2003, which was not addressed in this decision.

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

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain the veteran's outpatient psychiatric treatment records from 1993 to April 1996 and to readjudicate his claim with particular attention to continuity of symptomology. The case is now remanded for these actions.

The Board found that the veteran's malaria is inactive with no current residuals and denied his claim for an increased evaluation. The Board also determined that there was insufficient evidence to establish a connection between his service-connected malaria and his psychiatric disorder, leading to denial of this claim.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disability, characterized as major depression, is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for depression and open angle glaucoma with visual field impairment, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and a psychiatric disorder due to personal assault, characterized as PTSD with depression. The denial is based on insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that the veteran's major depressive disorder did not begin during or as a result of his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depression with psychotic features was not incurred in or aggravated during his service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred during active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to military service and has granted his claim for service connection.

The VA determined that the veteran's mental breakdown with depression was not caused by carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill on the part of VA during his treatment from 1979 to 1985. The evidence did not show a causal connection between the VA care and the veteran's current condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including schizoid personality disorder, dysthymia (depression), and generalized anxiety disorder, are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and dismissed the DIC claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates on service connection for multiple disabilities, individual unemployability, and Dependents' Educational Assistance have been denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the veteran filed claims prior to 1979.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and dental disorder was denied. The decision found that the veteran did not have a current disability resulting from his military service, and thus could not establish service connection.

The veteran's surviving spouse is entitled to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation because the veteran was continuously rated with a service-connected disability that was totally disabling for at least 10 years immediately preceding his death.

The Board's April 1982 decision denying restoration of the total disability rating based on individual unemployability is found to be clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and the veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability is restored effective May 31, 1981.