Depression decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU prior to April 24, 2001 were denied. The Board found that there was no factual ascertainable increase in disability or inability to work within the year prior to the filing of his claim.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, and granted it based on new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection based on the claimed conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's major depressive disorder with psychotic features is not related to his time in service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a psychiatric disability attributable to service and denied his claim for service connection for major depressive disorder.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including adjudicating whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The veteran's second period of service with the United States Navy from December 1961 to May 1963 is also being considered as it may affect his character of discharge.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder residuals are service-connected, but further development is needed for his claims of anxiety and PTSD.

The Board has determined that the grant of service connection for a depressive disorder was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, leading to its decision to sever this condition.

The veteran seeks service connection for depression, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected low back strain. The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination.

The veteran's disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound, as determined by VA examiners.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since September 1, 2006. Prior to that date, the rating was 30 percent. The Board found that the current level of impairment warrants a higher evaluation.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder with history of paranoid features was denied because he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without providing good cause.

The Board found that the veteran's depression, or late luteal phase dysphoric disorder, clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and was not aggravated by military service. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for alcoholism, a psychiatric disorder (including depression and a psychotic depressive reaction), hypertension, and gout. The decision found that there was no legal merit to the claim of service connection for alcoholism due to the prohibition against awarding VA compensation for disability due to alcoholism incurred during military service. For the other claims, the Board concluded that there was insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected condition.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and migraines, significantly impair her ability to work. The Board finds that she is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to these conditions.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating higher than 50 percent, as her symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including anxiety disorder, depression, dysthymia, and chronic pain syndrome, are not related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and major depression, as well as his claim for an increased rating for residuals of a fractured nose with sinusitis and rhinorrhea. The decision also noted that the veteran had received treatment for depression since 1993, many years after separation from service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD and his psychiatric disorder is related to service. However, there was no evidence of a current skin disorder due to herbicide exposure.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to consider them.