Depression Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, and for a higher rating for postoperative status, left knee replacement. The claim for secondary service connection was not well-grounded due to lack of medical evidence linking the psychiatric disorder to his service-connected knee disability. The claim for increased rating for postoperative status, left knee replacement is denied as there is no additional functional loss beyond what is already accounted for by the current 30% rating.

The Board denied service connection for intermittent explosive personality disorder and hypertension, finding no competent evidence of a nexus between current disabilities and military service.,For the right knee disability, the veteran's complaints included pain with objective evidence of crepitance. For the left knee disability, the veteran also complained of pain with objective evidence of crepitance.

The VA denied service connection for bipolar disorder and major depression, finding that the conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well-grounded and therefore denied.

The veteran's service-connected major depression is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The thoracic spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent and does not warrant a higher evaluation under any applicable criteria.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for a mood disorder on a direct basis was dismissed due to withdrawal. The claim of secondary service connection for a mood disorder as related to his service-connected postoperative duodenal ulcer was denied as not well grounded.

The veteran's chronic sleep disturbance is granted as a component of and/or secondary to her service-connected Parkinson's disease.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there was no medical evidence linking her current depressive disorder to service.

The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for the veteran's chronic anxiety disorder with depression, effective from the date of the decision. The claim for TDIU remains denied as the evidence does not show that the service-connected disability alone precludes the veteran from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for galvanic poisoning, fibromyalgia, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD) are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of current disability related to these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and pes planus, do not preclude him from participating in all types of substantially gainful employment due to his educational background and occupational experience.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (Major Depressive Disorder) and found the claim for a heart disorder not well grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depression was not incurred or aggravated during active service and is not related to his service-connected hyperthyroidism. The claim for service connection for Major Depression is denied.

The veteran's claims for chronic hepatitis B or C, major depression, and post-head injury headaches were denied. The veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of injury to the right arm, hypertension, depression, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of a back injury as they are not well-grounded.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration under the proper legal standard.

The veteran's claim for helpless child benefits was denied in October 1982 and February 1994. The case was reopened in November 1997 with new medical evidence, leading to a grant of the benefit effective from November 20, 1997.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, nervous disability to include anxiety and depression, and a hand falling asleep, shaking and dizziness are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of an inservice head injury or any current disabilities related to such an injury.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant an increased rating beyond 50 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder including schizophrenic reaction, schizoid personality disorder, immature personality disorder, major depression, anxiety disorder, and dysthymia. The evidence did not support a finding of a nexus between current psychiatric disorders and military service.