Depression Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease, bilateral hip/knee/shoulder disabilities, and depression were not supported by the evidence of record. The preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, depression, and tinnitus) are sufficiently severe to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation given his education and occupational experience. As such, he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to service. The veteran was diagnosed with PTSD and depression during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, residuals of radiation exposure, and depression. The appeals were not granted as there was no credible evidence supporting these conditions.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for residuals of a right inguinal hernia repair and service connection for bilateral hearing loss were denied. The claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and PTSD) is considered 'unknown' as it does not involve service connection at all.

The veteran's depressive disorder, to include PTSD, was characterized by symptoms such as depressed mood, suicidal ideations, chronic sleep impairment, and disturbances of motivation. The disability resulted in mild social and industrial impairment from January 17, 1995 to November 7, 1996.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and he has service connection for hypertension and tinnitus. The right ankle disability claim was not addressed due to the veteran's prior disapproval.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for depression, alcohol dependency, and drug dependency. The RO's previous decisions denying these claims are considered final.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service, and therefore denies the claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease was denied. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to service or a service-connected disability, while the PTSD claim was granted.,The claims for depression and low back disorder were reopened but not granted.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from the Dallas Vet Center and requesting an examination addendum.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and thus grants a total disability rating on the basis of individual unemployability.

The Board found that the veteran's current mental illness, including paranoia, depression, and PTSD, did not have its onset in service or is otherwise related to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's personality disorder is not a disability for VA compensation purposes and his acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board concluded that any current psychiatric disabilities are more likely related to pre-existing conditions.

The veteran's bipolar disorder with depression was incurred in service and has been causally related to service, thus the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is not service-connected, as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor. The veteran's Major Depressive Disorder is also denied as it is not shown to be related to service.

The veteran's initial evaluation for depression was granted at a 30 percent rating from November 27, 2002 through October 15, 2003.

The Board found that the veteran's adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety did not manifest during service and has not been shown to be causally related to his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's symptoms warrant a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD with depression, which is higher than the current 50 percent assigned.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for intervertebral disc syndrome, L4-S1 and has determined that the veteran is entitled to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.