Depression decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The effective dates for the granted benefits are established.

The Veteran's major depressive episode has been rated at the highest available rating of 50 percent since September 5, 2003. The VA examiner found that the Veteran met the diagnostic criteria for a single episode of moderate major depressive disorder with symptoms such as depressed mood, difficulty concentrating, and decreased ability to engage in work and leisure activities.

The Board found that the Veteran's paranoid schizophrenia had its onset during his second period of active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's major depressive disorder was not caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left ankle sprains are rated at 10% and her major depressive disorder is rated at 100%, effective June 23, 2005. The portion of the July 2007 Board decision denying increased ratings for left ankle sprains was vacated.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the claims of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, and service connection for a disability due to radiation exposure. As such, the Board does not have jurisdiction to consider these claims.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions including depression and anxiety, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), arthritis/osteoarthritis of the feet, toes, and ankles, an epididymal cyst, skin lesions, and a deviated nasal septum. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.,The Veteran is seeking increased rating for his deviated nasal septum. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine the current severity of this disability.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for depression and anxiety, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), arthritis/osteoarthritis of the feet, toes, and ankles, an epididymal cyst, skin lesions, and a deviated nasal septum. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), arthritis/osteoarthritis of the feet, toes, and ankles, an epididymal cyst, skin lesions, and a deviated nasal septum. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for depression and anxiety, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), arthritis/osteoarthritis of the feet, toes, and ankles, an epididymal cyst, skin lesions, and a deviated nasal septum. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.,The Veteran is seeking increased rating for his deviated nasal septum. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine the current severity of this disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and development, including verification of stressors and medical opinions on the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination and stressor verification. The issue remains pending as the Veteran has not provided sufficient information to identify claimed stressors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a liver disorder and depression, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions and insufficient evidence linking them to military service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to verify the appellant's claimed stressors in service, which are necessary for a determination on his claim of service connection for PTSD. The case is being remanded to gather this information and conduct further examination.

The Board found no current psychiatric disability and concluded that the Veteran's symptoms were primarily due to personality disorders, not service-connected. The claim for service connection for depression was denied.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including mood disorder, depression, and PTSD, has been rated at 70 percent since August 3, 2004. The current rating of 50 percent is maintained from October 20, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including total abdominal hysterectomy with right oophorectomy and status post cholecystectomy and sigmoid colectomy, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and adjudicative action due to incomplete records regarding the appellant's commitment by the Superior Court in November 2000, including a complete copy of the transcript of Dr. Peter Zeman's testimony.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were granted, with the exception of the claim for severance of service connection for bilateral weakness/numbness of legs associated with the compression fracture, L3. The Veteran was also granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and chronic constipation as secondary to his service-connected compression fracture, L3.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression is secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches and grants this claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, requires further development due to conflicting diagnoses and unverified stressors.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and the residuals of a head injury, finding that there was no credible evidence supporting the claimed stressors or current disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic psychiatric disorder manifested by anxiety and depression, finding no current evidence of such a condition. Service connection was not granted for the middle and low back disorder.