Depression decisions — 2005

The VA determined that the veteran does not have a respiratory disorder, including asthma or COPD, due to asbestos exposure. The major depressive disorder is not related to military service.

The veteran's entitlement to a nonservice-connected pension arose on September 13, 1998 due to her service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder. The effective date for the grant of the pension is set at this date.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the veteran's claimed psychiatric disability is related to service or his service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a diagnosed condition of PTSD, major depression, or an acquired sleep disorder due to service. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than March 6, 2003 for service connection of major depressive disorder. The RO is directed to obtain SSA records and Fort Sam Houston, Texas medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for obsessive-compulsive disorder with anxiety and depression, as well as peripheral neuropathy. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder was denied because there is no factual evidence to support an earlier effective date prior to August 15, 2002.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depression). The appeal regarding post-traumatic stress disorder is being remanded.

The VA determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder was not incurred in service and denied his claim.

The Board has reopened the veteran's service connection claim for a lumbar spine disability due to new evidence showing current back disability. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability remains denied.,An effective date earlier than July 25, 2003 for non-service connected pension benefits is granted.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including dysthymia, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, are related to his military service. The appeal is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back, left knee, and skin disabilities. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for chondromalacia patella of the left knee, depression, and reflux esophagitis as secondary to the veteran's service-connected disabilities of the right knee and bilateral ankles.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for depression and a right fifth toe injury, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's PTSD with major depression was rated at 50 percent from May 17, 2001 to April 30, 2004 and denied for a higher rating. Since May 1, 2004, the claim remains pending as he is still seeking an increased rating.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than February 14, 2002 for the grant of service connection for PTSD with depression is not warranted.

The veteran's claimed conditions, including hemorrhoids with colon polyps and diarrhea, pulmonary disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, depression, fatigue, insomnia, sacroiliac joint disability, lumbar spine disability, hip disability, and muscle twitching, are not service connected due to lack of evidence supporting a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims to reopen her previously denied psychiatric disorder, bilateral foot disability, and PTSD claims.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings, service connection for cardiovascular disability and dizziness with insomnia, and a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability. The Board found that his depression secondary to myofascial pain syndrome did not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 30 percent.