Depression decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's anxiety disorder with depression is related to his in-service combat experience, and tinnitus is service-connected. The claim for left ear hearing loss has been reopened due to new evidence received since the prior final denial.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to clarify the diagnosis of PTSD and determine if it is related to an in-service stressor. The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD will be remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's depressive disorder warrants a 70 percent disability rating, which is higher than his current 30 percent rating.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a low back disability and depression, do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety and major depressive disorder. The claim for PTSD is reopened, but its merits are pending.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is not causally or etiologically related to service or his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depression is aggravated by his service-connected hearing loss, and therefore grants secondary service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disorder (depression) is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected low back and bilateral knee disabilities, granting the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for depression as secondary to degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, with a rating of 30%.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected, with the diagnosis being based on a current medical assessment and credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, anxiety disorder, PTSD, and benign prostatic hypertrophy. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a separate disability manifested by special dietary needs, numbness, and limited physical abilities due to his service-connected GSW residuals. The claim for increased evaluations of the veteran's service-connected disabilities is also denied.

The veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent effective January 12, 2005. The RO granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran is seeking service connection for depression, which he claims is related to his service-connected right foot and ankle injury with reflex sympathetic dystrophy. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated medical records and conduct further examination.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected psychiatric disorder and a TDIU were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or for a TDIU based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the submitted evidence is not new and material to reopen the previously denied claims for prostate disorder with urinary incontinence, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and paranoia), and irritable bowel syndrome with abdominal pain.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar warts in January 1981. The veteran's petition to reopen the claims for low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids, and anxiety and depression was denied by the RO in August 2001. The RO found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these matters. The Board is considering all issues on a de novo basis as the previous decisions are final.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the basic eligibility requirements for a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing or a certificate of eligibility for a special home adaptation grant.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his head trauma residuals and post-traumatic headaches due to head trauma, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The veteran's hepatitis C with anxiety and depression was granted a rating of 30 percent effective from July 27, 2000. The issues for increased ratings were denied.