Depression decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with the right knee meniscal repair receiving a 20 percent rating from July 8, 2007 to September 1, 2009. The other conditions received their respective initial disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a scheduled hearing and her request for new representation. Additionally, updated VCAA notice is required.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric disabilities, finding that the Veteran engaged in combat during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The Veteran's new evidence includes diagnoses of depression and PTSD, which were not present at the time of the prior denial.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability, including major depression, schizophrenia, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and the claim for service connection for vertigo are also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being returned to the RO for additional development, including stressor development and examination, in order to determine his eligibility for service connection for a psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected PTSD and TDIU, finding that no such effective dates were established at the time of his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for new and material evidence for service connection for a low back disorder, service connection for a left shoulder disorder, entitlement to a temporary total disability evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 for surgery of the left shoulder, entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder, and entitlement to a compensable evaluation for internal derangement of the right knee.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of an acquired psychiatric disorder and the need for further examination. The claim for service connection for syphilis is also inextricably intertwined with the pending claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied service connection for depression, concluding that the Veteran's symptoms did not manifest during or as a result of his military service and were more likely related to post-service stressors such as marital issues and work/school pressures.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the increased rating issues for tinea versicolor and residuals of a right distal fibula fracture prior to their decision. The appeal for an increased rating for anxiety and depressive disorder remains.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse was granted a 50 percent disability rating on and after July 1, 2007.

The Board has granted service connection for paranoid schizophrenia and is now considering the claim of major depression, which may be a symptom of the previously granted condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Korea, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including borderline psychosis, hyperventilation syndrome, anxiety, and major depression was denied as March 29, 2000 is the earliest document in the claims file that can be construed as a claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including a psychosis. The Veteran's testimony at his hearing and VA treatment records have raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities. The appeal for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus with right foot valgus and arthritic change is dismissed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including degenerative dementia with depression.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not of such severity to preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board found no credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressors, and thus denied service connection for PTSD and MDD.