Depression decisions — 2008

The veteran's depression and PTSD are rated at 70 percent since July 31, 2003. The right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, while the left knee disability remains rated at 10 percent. Service connection for the left knee disability was granted effective from July 31, 2003. The veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be sufficient to render her unemployable.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the relationship between the veteran's cervical spine and major depression conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient information regarding the veteran's claimed stressful experiences during service and for a psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed stressors and psychiatric conditions. A VA examination is needed to determine if a current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is productive of total social and occupational impairment, warranting a 100 percent evaluation.

The Board dismissed the appeal as there is no remaining case or controversy over which the Board has jurisdiction. The issue of CUE in the December 1956 and April 1966 rating decisions is not before the Board, and the veteran's representative has specifically denied that such an issue has been raised in this appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, a back disorder, a bilateral leg disorder, sleep apnea, and depression due to herbicide exposure. The appeals were based on presumptive service connection under VA regulations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, psychosis, and depression due to lack of credible supporting evidence for in-service stressors and insufficient medical nexus opinions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for depression and a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The claim of service connection for depression was not substantiated, as there is no evidence linking the veteran's current diagnosis to his military service. For the claim of increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, the VA found that the criteria for an initial compensable rating were not met.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding his claimed hearing loss, back disorder, and pulmonary disorders. The issues of service connection for hypertension and a psychiatric disorder are also being remanded.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, migraines, depression, and a left shoulder disorder due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's case was previously before the Board and remanded for additional development. The RO is required to obtain updated treatment records, schedule a VA psychiatric examination, and re-adjudicate his claim.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from July 31, 2006, and her major depression is rated at 50 percent from August 8, 1999. The veteran's amenorrhea and PID are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD, which is linked to the veteran's depression, memory loss, nerves disorder, stress disorder, eating disorder, sleeplessness, and violent behavior. The headaches are also found to be secondary to PTSD.

The veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the issue of service connection for a kidney disorder during a hearing before the Board. The remaining issues of service connection for prostate, schizoaffective disorders with depressed mood, and psychotic disorder (claimed as PTSD) are addressed in this remand.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and major depression, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected status post fusion for spondylolisthesis, L5-S1, were denied. The Board found no medical evidence linking these conditions to the service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing psychiatric disorder, which included major depression with psychotic features and bipolar disorder, was aggravated during her period of active service beyond its natural progression. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The veteran's service-connected depression has been granted an initial disability rating of 10 percent, effective from May 2006.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional information regarding the veteran's service connection claims, including verification of in-service stressors for PTSD and exposure to herbicides for diabetes mellitus. The low back disability claim is also being remanded for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's depressive disorder is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.