Depression decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's request for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical service provided on October 1, 2003 due to lack of authorization and failure to meet the criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations.

The veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting moderate symptoms and impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating for the entire period of initial rating claim from March 31, 2005.

The Board found no evidence of a psychiatric disorder in service or within one year after separation, and concluded that the veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders are not related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding his unemployability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, or depressive disorder due to disease or injury incurred in service. The claim is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for depression. The issue is now on remand to determine if the current diagnosis of depression had its onset during military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's PTSD, finding that it is related to his combat experiences in Vietnam. The veteran's major depressive disorder was not separately service connected.

The veteran's PTSD and major depression are rated at the highest possible level (70%), while his scars, disarticulation of the left hip, and hypertension are each rated at their maximum levels. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD and major depression is granted.

The veteran's depressive disorder is service-connected as a result of his active duty service in the Southwest Asia theater. His respiratory and sleep disturbance diagnoses are not related to service, but rather to his depression. The lipoma noted during his second period of service was present prior to his return to active duty.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including depression and skin disabilities, were denied as there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service or for many years after service. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support the veteran's claims.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, depression, and a sleep disorder due to lack of verified in-service stressors and no objective evidence supporting the claimed conditions. Service connection was not granted as the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy.

The veteran's PTSD and acquired psychiatric disability are not service-connected, as they were caused by a sexual assault after active service rather than the stress fracture in service. The rating for her right hip disabilities remains denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for proper VCAA notice.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and thus denied his claim for TDIU.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and major depression in January 1989, which became final. The veteran did not appeal this decision. The RO reopened his claim based on new and material evidence received after October 11, 2001, and granted service connection for PTSD and major depression with a 100% disability rating effective from October 11, 2001.

The Board found that the veteran's major depression, dysthymia and psychotic-depressive reaction warranted a rating of 50 percent disabling but not higher. The disability is characterized by symptoms such as anxiety, depression, panic attacks, inability to establish effective relationships, disturbances of mood and motivation, impaired impulse control, mild neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, suspiciousness, and difficulty concentrating.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder, effective January 28, 2003. The symptoms of depression have resulted in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent inability to perform occupational tasks.