Depression decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD, depression, vascular dementia, and alcohol dependence, has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The current rating of 50% is maintained.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for narcolepsy due to new evidence. However, the Veteran's depression was not found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for Major Depressive Disorder, tinnitus, and asbestosis have been withdrawn. The appeal regarding TDIU was also dismissed. Asbestos exposure is not considered a factor in the Veteran's respiratory symptoms or hearing loss.

The Veteran's depression disability was rated at 30 percent from September 22, 2000 to June 30, 2006. The Board found that the symptoms during this period more closely approximated a 50% rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression secondary to his service-connected lumbar disc disease was granted, effective June 25, 2007. The rating assigned is 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a hearing before the Decision Review Officer and potentially a Travel Board hearing if necessary.

The Veteran's current diagnosed schizophrenia and depressive disorder are not considered to be service-connected, as the in-service mental problems were attributed to a pre-existing inadequate personality and low IQ.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder and thus denied his claim for service connection under Chapter 17 of VA benefits.

The Board determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including as bipolar disorder and manic depression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran timely filed a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) regarding the September 2004 denial of service connection for a right knee disability. As such, the appeal on this issue is granted.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression are related to his military service, including participation in operations where artillery fire was exchanged. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's dysthymia and depression were granted a 50% rating from November 1, 2001 to the present. The Board found that his symptoms warranted this level of disability during this period.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder have been granted service connection, with a current rating of 50 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder not otherwise specified (NOS), cognitive disorder NOS, depression, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as right ear hearing loss. The appeal is considered 'denied' because there was insufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a comprehensive psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected diverticulosis, degenerative disc disease, L5-S1, and major depressive disorder were denied. The Veteran was currently rated at 10 percent for each condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral vascular disease of the left and right lower extremities, major depression, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, tinnitus, and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that his combined disability rating has been 70 percent or higher since June 20, 2005, meeting the threshold requirement for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

The Veteran is granted service connection for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the bilateral knees with degenerative changes, psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder and major depressive disorder), DJD of the lumbosacral spine, and tinnitus.,Service connection is established based on a legal presumption due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for major depression, increased ratings for residuals of fractured fourth and fifth metacarpals of the right hand, degenerative changes of the cervical spine, right trapezius strain, and low back strain with degenerative changes and radiculopathy were all denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.