Depression decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claim for reopening his previously denied claims of service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that the evidence submitted was not new and material.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected depression resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% disability rating. The veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher 70% rating due to deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The veteran's claim for higher initial evaluations and effective dates for various service-connected conditions, including Hodgkin's disease, peripheral neuropathy, hypothyroidism, GERD, and depression, was granted. The decision also addressed the reopening of a claim for heart disease as secondary to Hodgkin's disease.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and medical records, confirming details of a near drowning incident, and clarifying opinions from previous examiners.

The VA determined that the veteran's anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need of regular aid and attendance due to lack of evidence showing she requires assistance from another person.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and remanded the case to allow further development, including obtaining additional information about stressors in service and providing a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations. The veteran is seeking service connection for various undiagnosed illness-related disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for his left ankle scar, service connection for a left ankle disorder other than the scar, and service connection for depression. The veteran was not granted any of these claims.

The veteran's major depression was not shown to have been present during active military duty or for many years thereafter and has not been shown to be related in any way to such service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disorder, specifically depression, is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent disabling effective February 3, 2002. The RO has granted a higher rating for the condition.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depression and dysthymia, was not incurred during or aggravated by his military service. The evidence did not show a psychosis to a compensable degree within one year of discharge for presumptive service connection.

The veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent, and service connection for a low back disability is granted.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disorders existed prior to service and were not aggravated by active service, thus denying her claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims of service connection for Crohn's disease and depression, and denied both claims.

The veteran's depression with anxiety and PTSD were not found to warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to August 13, 2004. The claim for TDIU was also denied as the evidence did not show that he was unemployable due to service-connected disabilities prior to August 13, 2004.

The veteran's claim for additional compensation for a dependent spouse was denied as she did not submit the requested dependency information within one year of being advised to do so.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected major affective disorder, currently rated at 50 percent disabling. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral Bell's palsy, Lyme disease, a psychiatric disorder (to include depression), and rashes. The right shoulder dislocation and left inguinal hernia were each assigned noncompensable disability ratings.