Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and PTSD due to incomplete medical records, lack of verification of stressor events, and need for additional VCAA notice.

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical records from the veteran's treating physicians.

The veteran is seeking an effective date prior to January 14, 2000 for a 100% disability rating for PTSD with depression. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records and Social Security Administration records.

The veteran is seeking service connection for depression that he believes is related to his service-connected head injury. The Board has ordered additional development, including obtaining records from the U.S. Army Hospital, Camp Kue, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran's hypothyroidism was a reasonably foreseeable consequence of his radiation therapy for larynx cancer in 1993, but denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 as it did not meet the criteria for negligence or carelessness on part of VA.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD, along with his dysthymic disorder and major depressive disorder, renders him totally disabled both socially and occupationally. As a result, he is now receiving a 100 percent evaluation for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder with psychotic features, was incurred in active duty service and granted service connection.

The veteran's depressive disorder was rated at 50 percent from March 24, 2003 to September 26, 2003. The Board found that the evidence supported a higher rating for this period.

The Board found that the veteran's erectile dysfunction did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating, as there was no evidence of a penile deformity.

The Board has expanded the issue to include a request for service connection for a mood disorder and/or depression as a result of a closed head injury in service. The veteran's claim on appeal is being remanded due to additional evidence received, including a December 2003 private psychiatric opinion.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further assistance to verify his service stressors and determine if he has PTSD related to documented in-service events.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder in service or within many years thereafter, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for major depression, finding total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's initial claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, currently diagnosed as PTSD, was filed within one year of separation from service. Therefore, an effective date of November 24, 1946 is granted.

The Board found that the reduction of the veteran's depression disability evaluation from 100% to 30% was improper due to lack of sustained improvement in his condition.

The veteran's nonservice-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Depression.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating, effective from May 5, 1999.

The Board found that the July 1950 rating decision denying service connection for nervousness was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The veteran's claim of an earlier effective date for major depression disorder with dysthymia was denied as there is no evidence of a timely appeal.