Depression decisions — 2010

The Veteran seeks service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically, PTSD. The Board has recharacterized the issue to include any mental disability that may reasonably be encompassed by the claimant's description of the claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board has determined that an additional VA examination is necessary to determine the current nature and extent of the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder. Additionally, a determination on whether the Veteran is unemployable due to her service-connected disability must be made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 28, 2007, for a 100 percent rating for his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran does not have left ear hearing loss attributable to his military service and the Board finds that his current hearing loss is less likely due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as dysthymic disorder with depressed mood and other symptoms of depression, is related to service. Service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of a diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the loss of use of a creative organ is denied as she does not have such loss due to service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue was not incurred in service and denied his claim. The psychiatric disorder, including a depressive disorder, is also denied as there is no clear evidence linking it to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder with psychosis and depression, did not have its onset during service or is otherwise related to military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, did not have onset during active service and is not otherwise etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's depression with insomnia was manifested by mild to moderate symptoms prior to June 24, 2005. From June 24, 2005, the Veteran experienced significant impairment in her ability to function independently and establish effective relationships due to recurrent panic attacks, difficulty concentrating, and mood swings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired mental disorders, including anxiety disorder, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since June 27, 2006. The rating is for the entire period of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is to determine if he is competent for the purpose of direct receipt of VA compensation benefits. The RO has determined that he is incompetent, and his son (J.C.R.) was named as his fiduciary.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of this claim, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected levoscoliosis of the thoracic spine with spina bifida occulta spondylosis and depression have been denied. The 20 percent rating for the back disability remains unchanged, while the 10 percent and 70 percent ratings for depression remain unchanged.

The Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including depression and PTSD, are not considered to be directly related to his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including rheumatic fever, myocardial infarction, hearing loss of the left ear, arthritis, cerebrovascular accident, erectile dysfunction, and depression. The appeals were not decided on a presumption basis or due to exposure to specific hazards.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to her request for a Travel Board hearing. Her claims regarding right knee strain, plantar fasciitis, major depressive disorder, and lumbosacral strain are still pending.