Depression decisions — 2006

The Board has granted service connection for chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, effective from January 25, 2005. The veteran's depression is not related to a service-connected disability, and his left wrist, hip, and knee disabilities are not shown to be caused by or aggravated by service or a service-connected condition.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need of regular aid and attendance or permanent housebound status.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, depression, PTSD, bilateral leg condition, bilateral elbow condition, bilateral arm condition, and degenerative changes of the lumbar and thoracic spine due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The veteran's claims for service connection are granted for various conditions, including fibromyalgia, musculoskeletal chest pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, bloody stools and bowel incontinence, headaches, agitation, forgetfulness, borderline violence, major depression and dysthymic disorder, loss of bladder control, itching, hives, rash, duodenal ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), partial complex seizures, blackouts, photophobia and lightheadedness, shrinkage in height from 71 inches to 67 1/2 inches, and lumbar spine disorder with instability of the legs. These conditions are presumed due to service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability and headaches, as well as a claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities. The decision found that the depressive disorder was not causally related to or aggravated by the service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for depression secondary to her service-connected vaginitis, finding that there is no medical evidence showing that the vaginitis caused or aggravated her depression.

The Board has determined that the veteran's depression was not incurred during service and there is no competent medical evidence linking it to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected dysthymic disorder has been rated at 30 percent since May 8, 2001.,The veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II associated with herbicide exposure has been rated at 20 percent since July 9, 2001.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and an anxiety disorder with phobias and depression. The RO has remanded the case to verify specific stressful events during his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being returned to the Board for further review due to her request for a Travel Board hearing. The case will be remanded to schedule this hearing.

The Board denied the claim of entitlement to service connection for depression, finding that there is no competent medical evidence indicating a nexus between the veteran's service-connected hypertension and his claimed depression.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current disabilities to his period of service and denied all claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder warrants a rating of 70 percent, effective from January 4, 2003.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of depression, bilateral shin splints, chronic neck pain, anemia, and a disability involving the trigger finger due to withdrawal by the appellant. The veteran's irritable bowel syndrome with symptoms of heartburn and dysphagia is rated as 10% disabling since the date of service connection. Her urinary tract infection is also rated as 10% disabling since the date of service connection. Her vertigo is rated as 10% disabling since the date of service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for status post left ulnar tip amputation was granted, with a current evaluation of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection for PTSD is warranted based on credible evidence of a stressor event in service and medical opinions linking his current psychiatric conditions to those events.

The Board found that the veteran's depressive disorder was incurred in service and granted service connection for it. The hypertension, which began after service, was not shown to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for examinations to determine the current severity of the veteran's service-connected conditions.

The veteran's depression was rated at 10 percent from January 15, 2002 to April 2, 2003 and increased to 50 percent from April 3, 2003 to April 20, 2004. The claim for an increase in rating beyond this period is pending.