Depression decisions — 2010

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depression/bipolar disorder, left patellofemoral syndrome, and migraine headaches are all related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Reiter's syndrome had its onset during his active service, and he is entitled to service connection for this condition. The Board also found in favor of secondary service connection for pericarditis, dysentery, hypertension, major depressive disorder, loss of sense of taste and smell, and iritis all related to the Veteran's Reiter's syndrome.

The Veteran's major depression with anxiety disorder was manifested by symptoms such as depressed thoughts, anxiety, mood swings, crying spells, agoraphobia, intermittent suicidal ideations, impaired short-term memory, and significant impairment of occupational and social functioning. The Board found that the criteria for an evaluation greater than 70 percent were not met during the period from June 18, 2007 to January 11, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital on December 7, 2007 is being remanded due to the VAMC not evaluating his claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1728.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any present psychiatric disorders, with specific attention to whether PTSD is related to in-service stressors involving fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was granted an initial staged rating of 50 percent effective from August 11, 2004.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent since April 29, 2009. His seizure disorder remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, and his claim was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depression, has been manifested by symptoms such as chronic sleep impairment, anxiety, social isolation, hypervigilance, disturbance of mood, and difficulty establishing effective social relationships. Since the award of service connection, his condition has met the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder is manifested by symptoms such as agitation, social isolation, memory lapses, sleep disturbances, and passing suicidal ideation. However, the criteria for a higher rating of 50 percent have been met.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence did not establish chronicity of a disease during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Veteran was granted separate 10 percent evaluations for traumatic arthritis of the left knee in April 2003.

The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD and depression. The Board has determined that further development is needed, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder present.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a statement of the case (SOC) regarding her claims for a higher rating and an earlier effective date for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The Veteran is service-connected for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, major depressive disorder, and erectile dysfunction, with a combined disability rating of 90 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression. The issue regarding her right cystic ovary removal was not addressed as it is not a service connection claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability determination records. The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities will be evaluated to determine if they are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for major depression and posttraumatic stress disorder are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for depression as secondary to hepatitis C remains pending.