Depression Board decisions

The veteran's nonservice-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 were not well-grounded, and denied them.

The veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects her symptoms and impairment. The other conditions have not been shown to warrant higher ratings.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, depression, sinusitis/rhinitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and a skin disorder (claimed as tinea cruris and tinea pedis) are granted. The claim for left knee disorder is not well-grounded.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased rating for PTSD with dysthymic disorder and history of major depression.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of her service-connected hysterectomy, service connection for depression and headache disorder are all denied as they are not proximately due to or the result of her service-connected condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection for cavernous hemangioma, varicose veins, and initial evaluations for pulmonary disorder (asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and atherosclerotic heart disease are granted. The claim for service connection for depression is also granted.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD with features of depressive disorder and general anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records, including recent outpatient and inpatient treatment records. A new VA psychiatric examination will also be conducted.

The veteran's depression is rated at 100 percent, and his tinnitus is rated at 10 percent. The effective date for service connection of tinnitus is denied.

The RO denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's major depression prior to September 7, 1994 and granted a 60 percent disability evaluation for her lumbar laminectomy residuals including spinal stenosis effective as of September 7, 1994.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for major depression, finding that his claim was not well-grounded.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected unipolar depression with psychophysiological factors affecting physical condition is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a disability manifested by loss of balance is also inextricably intertwined with the claim for an increased evaluation.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 60 percent, effective from May 7, 1996. The veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent, also effective from May 7, 1996.

The veteran's service-connected anxiety with major depression is found to meet the criteria for a total disability evaluation due to its impact on his ability to work.

The veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, which is now considered well-grounded. The veteran's chronic psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder, was initially manifested during his time in the Marine Corps.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the potential impact of a February 2000 Stipulated Agreement and the Court's Order on his service-connected condition. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating for the period from May 23, 1945 to July 19, 1991 is also inextricably intertwined with the current appeal.

The veteran's PTSD with depression was initially rated at 10 percent and later increased to 70 percent. The rating of 70 percent has been maintained since April 10, 1992.

The Board found that the veteran's duodenal ulcer with hiatal hernia warrants a 20 percent evaluation, and his non-service-connected psychiatric conditions (bipolar disorder - depressive disorder and PTSD) warrant a combined 50 percent evaluation. The veteran is therefore not entitled to an increased evaluation for his duodenal ulcer or a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected knee disability aggravates his nonservice-connected depression, and thus grants service connection for depression secondary to service-connected knee disability. The claims for increased evaluations of the knees are also granted.