Depression decisions — 2010

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability and awarded a 100 percent evaluation for the Veteran's depressive disorder. The decision also addressed an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for his depressive disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination and additional records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety and depression is rated at 70 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher rating. The Board also found that he is entitled to TDIU benefits.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed depression and anxiety, should be remanded due to incomplete records and need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of depression was granted effective from May 6, 2005. The Board found that the earliest date of entitlement to this benefit is March 29, 2002.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and major depression, is related to his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not presented to reopen the Veteran's claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of Interferon treatment, as the newly submitted evidence does not show that the claimed side effects were caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA medical personnel.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of the veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability and whether it renders him unemployable.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for hepatitis C was granted, with a 10 percent disability rating effective from April 23, 2001. The current appeal seeks an increase in the rating to a higher level.

The Board found that the Veteran's dysthymic disorder is not related to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim.

The Veteran's appeal was remanded for a video conference. The Board found that her service-connected knee disabilities did not meet the criteria for increased ratings or TDIU, as they were currently rated and she could still engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, characterized as OCD, GAD, depression, and ADHD, was found to warrant a rating of 70 percent for the period beginning November 18, 2004. The claim is denied.

The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD, effective from the date of the appellant's original claim for benefits. The rating is based on severe symptoms including social isolation, sleep disorders, irritability, depression, nightmares, and concentration impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD will be adjudicated based on the evidence obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment, and a mood disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence regarding whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected pterygium.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, including depression and bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ulcerative colitis is granted. The claims for tinnitus and the other conditions are denied.

The Veteran's claims have been dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate them.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary to assess whether any of the Veteran's psychiatric conditions were caused by or began during his active service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with major depression has been rated at the highest possible level (100%) since September 14, 2005, due to total social and occupational impairment.