Depression decisions — 2006

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The issue of service connection for depression is also raised by the record and must be considered as part of this appeal.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the provision of a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and assigned a 20 percent disability rating for his low back strain with degenerative disc disease, effective from December 6, 2005.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for depression, which was secondary to a service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbosacral spine, has been denied by the Board. The effective date remains July 5, 2002.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for PTSD with depression did not meet the criteria, as there was no evidence of total occupational and social impairment prior to March 29, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder are at least as likely as not related to his active military service.

The veteran's PTSD, depression, right cervical radiculopathy, and right ulnar neuropathy are all found to be related to a personal assault she experienced during service. The Board grants these claims.

The veteran's major depressive disorder was rated at 30 percent prior to July 12, 2000 and increased to 70 percent from that date. The appeal is granted.

The VA denied the claim for a higher initial rating of 30 percent for major depressive disorder, as the evidence did not warrant such an increase.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and did not reopen the claim of service connection for schizoaffective disorder with history of major depression.

The Board has denied all service connection claims as there is no competent evidence linking any current disabilities to the veteran's active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) on both issues of earlier effective dates: service connection for depression with personality changes and TDIU. The veteran must provide any evidence in his possession that pertains to these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development needed, including obtaining medical records from Dr. S.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities are not proximately due to VA carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA. The appeals for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 have been denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's request for withdrawal of his appeal for entitlement to service connection for syphilis is granted. The claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and hepatitis C are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to determine if the veteran's current cognitive disorder and depression are related to an in-service assault.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied, while the claim for increased rating for bilateral pes cavus was granted with a 30% rating. The remaining issues related to multiple joint pains due to an undiagnosed illness and lower back condition were also denied.

The veteran's anxiety disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, as evidenced by his workaholic tendencies and lack of motivation since discharge from service. His symptoms included panic attacks, short-term memory impairment, and depression.,Since April 10, 2005, the veteran's depressive disorder has caused significant occupational and social impairment, including difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective relationships.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his fatal heart failure to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if service connection can be granted for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The veteran's claim is inextricably intertwined with his claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.