Depression decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied anxiety disorder claim, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Veteran's major depression is rated at 70 percent for the entire period on appeal, with total occupational and social impairment.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of chronic reactive depression is not related to his active duty service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's depression and right knee disorder were not found to be related to his military service or a service-connected condition, leading to the denial of both claims.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for bilateral foot disability arising from VA treatment on March 1, 1999 due to withdrawal by the Veteran at a Board hearing held on April 28, 2010.

The Veteran's depression with claimed anxiety has been rated at a 30 percent disability evaluation effective from July 25, 2007.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board has determined that the claim should be remanded to allow for a VA examination and further development of evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinion regarding her claimed stressors and current diagnoses.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a wound infection with delayed healing of lumbar laminectomy incision and depression, finding that diabetes mellitus contributed to these conditions. The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity neuropathy and urinary incontinence are not currently service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing additional examinations to address the nature and etiology of his cervical and lumbar spine disorders, hearing loss, and major depressive disorder. The RO will also clarify the disability rating assigned to his service-connected malaria.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by her active military service and denied her claim.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, secondary to her service-connected hypothyroidism, is currently rated at 30 percent prior to February 12, 2007; 10 percent from February 12, 2007 through February 9, 2009; and 30 percent beginning February 10, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic paranoid schizophrenia was incurred in service and is granted service connection. The cardiovascular disorder, however, is not shown to be related to his service-connected psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep disability with fatigue, respiratory disability (rhinitis with recurrent bronchitis and bronchospasm), and muscle and joint pain are all related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depression with psychosis and diabetes mellitus, have significantly impaired his ability to move around. As a result, he is eligible for specially adapted housing assistance but not for a special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, has been granted. The claims for vision impairment, hearing loss, and residuals of a left foot injury have also been addressed.

The Veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for her service-connected major depressive disorder. The case has been remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and review the claim.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder, as well as the restoration of service connection for a right knee disability. The Veteran's claims were based on alleged sexual assault and harassment during her military service.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for additional development including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorder(s) are related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen his claim. The issue of whether a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is related to active service will be remanded for further development.