Depression Board decisions

The VA has confirmed and continued the current 30 percent evaluation for PTSD, but did not grant an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, depression, and TMJ syndrome are not well grounded. The evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and her period of active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a psychiatric specialist's opinion regarding whether the veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death.

The Board finds a reasonable possibility exists that further examination or development will aid in establishing service connection for visual disability and tension headaches.,There is no reasonable possibility of establishing service connection for memory loss or profuse sweating.

The veteran's claim for depression secondary to his service-connected left knee disability was denied. The appeal regarding the timeliness of the NOD with the April 1996 rating decision denying secondary service connection for right knee and left hip disorders is also denied. The veteran's claim for urinary tract stricture is pending.

The veteran's right wrist sprain, major depression, and lateral meniscus tear of the left knee are all currently rated at their maximum levels. The claims for increased evaluations have been granted.

The Board found that the veteran's depression did not have its onset during service and is unrelated to military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy. The Board also found that there was no evidence to support a secondary service connection for depression.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected conditions have been denied. The RO has maintained the current evaluations, which are considered adequate to compensate the veteran for his disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's depression is not related to VA surgical treatment and denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, while finding that he has a well-grounded claim for service connection of hepatitis C.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected psychotic depressive disorder is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD is not service-connected due to lack of credible supporting evidence for her in-service sexual assault stressor.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeals regarding service connection for PTSD, TMJ dysfunction, and an increased rating for major depressive disorder. The appeal for an earlier effective date for medication-induced candida thrush was also dismissed.

The veteran's major depression renders him unable to obtain or retain employment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating based on non-service-connected disabilities for pension purposes was denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board has ordered the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide further evidence that the appellant's psychotherapy needs, including the prescription of tranquilizers as required, are available at the Santa Fe Vet Center. The VA must also review the relevant evidence and readjudicate the claim seeking an extended fee-basis authorization.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was not well-grounded due to her pre-existing personality disorder and lack of in-service stressor, leading to a denial.

The veteran's unemployability due to his psychiatric disorders is recognized, and he is granted a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes on an extraschedular basis.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of a verified in-service stressor and the absence of medical evidence linking current symptoms to service. The veteran's dysthymic disorder with major depressive episodes was not found to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, were aggravated by his active military service.