Depression decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his acquired psychiatric disorder, major depression, was granted with a rating of 70 percent effective June 27, 2005. His claims for increased evaluations of his lumbar spine disability and carpal tunnel syndromes were also granted, but the hearing loss in the left ear remains at a non-compensable evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected left knee arthrosis with degenerative changes is rated at 60 percent effective March 16, 2005. The issue of a higher evaluation for the disability remains pending.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a higher rating for his PTSD, finding that his symptoms have resulted in reduced reliability and productivity.

The veteran's claim for higher evaluations of his depression disability is pending. The RO/AMC will obtain medical records and provide the veteran with a corrective notice regarding effective dates.

The veteran's PTSD, depression, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are all found to be service-connected.

The veteran is seeking service connection for his current major depression, which he claims is related to his service-connected lung disability and other factors in service. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder with anxiety was first manifested in service and grants his claim of entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted increased ratings for major depressive disorder and hypertension, but denied an increased rating for postoperative left inguinal hernia. The veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 50% disabling, while his hypertension remains at a noncompensable rating.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for peptic ulcer disease and depression due to potential new evidence or clarification of his claims. The veteran is presumed to have incurred these conditions as a former prisoner of war during World War II.

The veteran's claims for service connection and initial disability ratings have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a psychiatric disorder that is causally or etiologically related to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric conditions are due to his own willful misconduct and not an innocently acquired condition during service. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 40 percent for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disorder, effective February 1, 2005.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for major depression and a back disability. The claim of increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded to obtain additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and there is no competent medical evidence linking any current mental health condition to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, as there is no competent medical evidence linking his claimed conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the medical evidence of record is not sufficient to decide the veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and depressive disorder, and therefore, she should be afforded VA examinations to determine the etiology of her conditions.

The veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, and PTSD. The appeal is remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for further verification of his National Guard service.

The Board found no current medical diagnosis of a depressive disorder and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.