Depression decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, as well as his claim for service connection for genital herpes. The Board also denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to lack of evidence showing he needed such assistance.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of migraine headaches and tinea pedis were remanded. The Board denied service connection for a disorder of the nervous system, chronic dermatophytosis (other than tinea pedis), neurosis, degenerative arthritis, DDD, and forearm disorder as they are not related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's personality disorder is not a disease for VA compensation purposes and denied service connection for major depressive disorder.

The veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for chronic low back pain was granted, with a rating of 20 percent effective from May 17, 1998.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as she does not meet the criteria for SMC due to her service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's initial claim for service connection for arthritis was withdrawn. The Board granted an increased evaluation of 50 percent for his anxiety disorder with post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and depressive disorder, effective June 13, 2005.

The Board found that the veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and bipolar II disorder, were not related to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his active military service.

The Board found that an earlier effective date for a 70% rating for PTSD is not warranted, as the increase in disability was ascertainable from August 14, 1998.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his service connection award, finding that no legal basis existed to grant such a request.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and therefore cannot establish service connection for any such condition.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed additional disability was not caused by VA medical treatment, including the prescribed medications (Halcion and Xanax). The evidence did not support a finding of causation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the veteran's depressive disorder and the relationship between any in-service skin symptoms and current depression. The veteran is requested to provide information about his treatment history, including VA mental health clinic records from Puerto Rico and Pennsylvania.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of whether any current psychiatric disorder is traceable to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected depression warrants a disability rating of 50 percent, effective March 16, 2005.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and any relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is at least partly aggravated by his service-connected acne vulgaris. The claim for service connection is therefore granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for schizoid personality disorder, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, and major depression and insomnia. The appeals were based on direct evidence of a relationship between these conditions and military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including major depression, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not presumed to have been so incurred. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder, secondary to service-connected hearing loss, warrants a 30 percent initial disability rating.