Depression decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected postoperative residuals of internal derangement of the right knee with traumatic arthritis and recurrent major depression, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.

The veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia, PTSD, and an increased evaluation for reactive major depression are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing the veteran with proper VCAA notice.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for depression, hypertension, arthritis of the shoulders, and a respiratory disorder (COPD). However, the preponderance of evidence does not support these claims as they were not present in service or are not related to military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD has been reopened. However, the claim for PTSD based on in-service personal assault remains denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to issues related to earlier effective dates for his service-connected conditions, psychogenic pain disorder with major depression and hiatal hernia.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for chest pain, major depression, left knee disorder, low back disorder, and bilateral foot disorder are denied as there is no competent medical evidence to support these claims.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, depression, a back disability, impaired sleeping, nightmares, and night sweats were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during or related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder, was denied. The temporary total disability rating based on hospitalization from November 5 to December 14, 1992, was also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's personality disorder and depression did not pre-exist service or were aggravated by service, and thus denied service connection for these conditions. The Board also noted that there was no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD due to combat exposure.

The Board has determined that the appellant's PTSD disability, along with his ethanol dependence and depressive disorder, results in total occupational and social impairment. Therefore, a 100 percent rating is granted for the appellant's PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding records and possible service connection.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The veteran's TDIU was granted effective May 1, 1999. The Board found that the evidence did not show he was unemployable prior to this date.

The Board has determined that the veteran's panic disorder with agoraphobia and history of major depression is manifested by symptoms such as occasional panic attacks, anxiety, irritability, sleep impairment, avoidance of others, and GAF scores between 49 and 80. These findings do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inconsistencies and incompleteness in the medical evidence, including a need for an opinion regarding whether any present psychiatric disorder is proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder warrants a 50 percent disability rating, reflecting moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a ruptured ear drum, migraine headaches, right ankle disorder, depression, residuals of right palm laceration, and ear infections. The decision also addressed other issues such as asthma, mouth surgery, and lung cyst.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the veteran's psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not competent for VA purposes due to his mental incapacity, including PTSD and alcohol dependence.