Depression Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an effective date prior to January 30, 1997 for a 100% rating for PTSD and denied his requests for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of L4-L5 and TMJ.

The veteran's lung disorder, skin rashes (including scabies), hypertension, major depression and memory loss, and sleeplessness are not service-connected. The left inguinal hernia is currently evaluated as noncompensably disabling.

The veteran's status post left knee meniscectomy residuals do not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent. The RO will need to obtain all VA treatment records and schedule a VA examination to assess his atypical depression with somatization and chronic low back pain.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and mixed personality disorder (mental depression), but denied his claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae. The decision is considered 'mixed' as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Board denied service connection for depression, finding that the condition did not begin during active duty for training and was not caused by any incident of active duty.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder and bilateral pes planus, but granted service connection for plantar fasciitis of the left foot. The decision did not address foot and ankle disorders as a whole.

The veteran's disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of both hips and depression, prevent him from engaging in any form of gainful employment. As a result, he is granted a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and further investigation is needed before a final decision can be made.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, pulmonary disorder (chest pain and breathing problems), and psychiatric disorders to include PTSD were denied. Service connection was granted for PTSD but not for the other conditions.

The Board found that new evidence, including a private psychiatrist's opinion from 1999, supports reopening the claim of service connection for major depression. The Board concluded that the appellant had a pre-existing condition and that his recent diagnosis was related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and other claimed disabilities due to lack of evidence of an in-service stressor.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his failure to provide requested information and report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran did not meet the criteria for these conditions based on his military service or any other evidence presented.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) denied the veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes due to his service-connected disabilities, including syncope, COPD, depression, cardiovascular disorders, and sinusitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for major depression with generalized anxiety disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a preexisting condition and that any acquired psychiatric condition did not manifest within one year of separation from service. The Board also found that the submitted articles were insufficient to establish a causal relationship between the claimed conditions and his service.

The Board dismissed the appellant's appeal for service connection of personality disorder. The claim of increased evaluation for depressive disorder was denied, and the claim of tinnitus was granted as incurred in service.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently evaluated at a 30 percent level, and the Board has determined that an increased evaluation is not warranted.

The veteran's major depression, recurrent with mood disorder and anxiety disorder with panic and agoraphobic component is currently rated at 30 percent. The RO has granted a higher rating for this condition.

The veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension including extra schedular entitlement to pension under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. � 3.321(b)(2) is being remanded due to incomplete development and need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and to verify any claimed stressors. The case will be returned for this purpose.