Depression decisions — 2005

The Board has granted secondary service connection for the appellant's major depressive disorder and arthritis of hips, legs, and feet as being aggravated by her service-connected low back disability. The current evaluation for the low back disability remains at 20 percent.

The VA denied an increased initial rating for PTSD, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chloracne, major depression, ulcerative colitis, benign prostatic hypertrophy, asthma, and arthritis. The decision found that new evidence did not reopen the claim for chloracne, and that none of the other conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a higher rating for his PTSD with Major Depression, finding that the evidence did not show deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation or impaired impulse control.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, and denied the other issues on appeal. The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus was not supported by evidence in the record at the time of the last final denial. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is denied.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are granted, with some issues receiving a 10% evaluation and others not. The decision is based on direct evidence of in-service injury and subsequent disability.

The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the veteran's current mental disabilities, including PTSD, and his service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board has received a lay statement from the appellant's brother and is remanding the case to the RO for review of this new evidence.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a diagnosed neuropsychiatric disorder related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims to reopen for right shoulder disorder and bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus, callosities and degenerative arthrosis. The veteran is also service-connected for hearing loss in the left ear, degenerative joint disease of the left ankle, degenerative joint disease of the right ankle, a bilateral knee disorder, and depression.

The Board granted a TDIU effective January 12, 2001, based on the veteran's service-connected disabilities. The effective date was set at this time as it is not factually ascertainable that he was unemployable prior to this date.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a nervous condition (claimed as depression). The case is dismissed.

The veteran's claims are being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to address the relationship between his dental condition and other disabilities such as esophagitis, depression, and heart disease.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting psychiatric condition did not warrant service connection as it was aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred as a result of his exposure to Agent Orange during service. The PTSD and major depressive disorder claims were denied due to lack of verified stressors and no medical evidence linking these conditions to service, respectively.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's military service and his current psychiatric disabilities, including depression and dysthymic disorder. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected PTSD, currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder and right hand osteoarthritis.