Depression Board decisions

The Board has determined that the appellant's post-traumatic stress disorder with major depression warrants a 50 percent disability evaluation, based on symptoms such as anger management problems and difficulty in fostering beneficial relationships.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluation of his service-connected major depressive disorder with social phobia and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to a service-connected disability is remanded as the VA has not provided him with a recent medical examination.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current depression to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being housebound was denied as his overall condition is not severe enough to require such assistance.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and review of his claims file, including recent treatment records. The case will be reviewed again with consideration of both old and new rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and depression are not well-grounded because there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his inservice head injury or any other disease or injury during service.

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

The Board found no evidence of a well-grounded claim for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus.,PTSD was not established as the veteran did not provide specific verified stressors in service.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder is granted.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the veteran's evaluation for his psychiatric disorder from 70 percent to 30 percent was proper based on sustained improvement in his condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for depression, headaches, insomnia, muscle spasms, and dizziness are not well-grounded as they do not meet the criteria for service connection under direct or presumptive provisions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for depression, anxiety, and chronic fatigue, as well as PTSD. The evidence does not show that the veteran manifests PTSD due to an in-service stressor.

The Board dismissed the veteran's motion for revision of a decision based on clear and unmistakable error due to insufficient information about which specific issue or issues were alleged to have been affected by CUE.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a well-grounded claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression, and a left knee disorder are not well-grounded. The evidence does not establish a nexus between current psychiatric or knee problems and service.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric condition is related to his active service and granted his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in acquiring an automobile or other conveyance or special adaptive equipment due to lack of loss of use, impairment of vision, or ankylosis.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, hiatal hernia, and depression associated with alcohol and drug abuse as they are not well-grounded.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for the service-connected schizophrenic disorder, residual type, with depression. The veteran's service-connected residuals of shrapnel wounds left knee are rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for depression and a right knee disorder, as well as his claim for an increased rating for left knee injury with traumatic arthritis. The decision also noted that the issue of whether the right knee disorder is aggravated by the service-connected left knee disability has not been addressed.