Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal to the March 2006 rating decision denying service connection for PTSD and depression was not timely filed.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, which the Veteran contends were incurred during active service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that his service-connected psychiatric disability did not play a role in his fatal cardiac and lung disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for an additional VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature, extent, onset and etiology of any psychiatric disability found to be present during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, began during active service or is related to an incident of service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied reopening the Veteran's claims for service connection for a nervous disorder and a back disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted to support these claims.,Both issues were previously adjudicated in June 2005 by the Board, which found that there was insufficient evidence to reopen either claim.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is based on an identified stressor of fear of enemy fire during convoy missions while assigned to RVN. The claim for drug abuse was not addressed due to its nature as a separate issue.

The Board found no evidence that the Veteran's major depression was caused or aggravated by his service-connected Guillain-Barre Syndrome, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for psychiatric disability other than PTSD, finding no objective evidence of in-service psychiatric symptoms and concluding that the Veteran's assertions of continuity of symptoms since service are not credible.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and is remanding the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to allow for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic tension headaches are service-connected and grants her claim for service connection. The initial rating of 10 percent for left knee patellofemoral bursitis with arthritis is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine his eligibility for automobile and adaptive equipment based on his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for low back pain with lumbar degenerative disc disease was denied. The issue of service connection for a depressive disorder secondary to the service-connected low back disorder was also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus, thoracic spine disorder, and right leg disorder are granted. The low back disability claim is also granted with an initial rating of 20 percent prior to July 27, 2005 and from September 1, 2005.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain and PTSD/Depressive Disorder have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.,The Board finds that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including chronic lumbosacral strain and PTSD/Depressive Disorder.

The Veteran's left ankle disability and depression have been granted service connection, with the former being linked to a service-connected condition (tarsal tunnel syndrome) and the latter being secondary to physical abuse and medical conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is found to be related to his military service. His bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to service. The Veteran's tinea pedis and tinea cruris are granted a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder was denied, as the evidence did not establish that his condition is more severe than characterized by reduced reliability and productivity. The TDIU claim was also denied due to lack of evidence showing he is precluded from obtaining and retaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for depression and has determined that new and material evidence has been presented, warranting a de novo review.