Depression decisions — 2007

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder with agoraphobia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The other issues on appeal are either denied or not in appellate status.

The veteran's claims for bilateral knee disorder, depressive disorder, and increased rating for low back syndrome were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for a bilateral knee disorder or an effective date for depression. For low back syndrome, the claim was granted but at the maximum schedular evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disability, diagnosed as depressive disorder not otherwise specified, was not incurred in service or within a year of discharge and is not etiologically related to active service. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

During the period of appeal prior to December 2004, the veteran displayed psychiatric symptoms approximating a disability rating of 70 percent.,The veteran's disability rating was increased from 50 percent to 70 percent effective December 16, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need to verify stressors and determine if the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to service.

The veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 10% from November 7, 1996 to June 30, 1998. From July 1, 1998 onwards, the rating was increased to 50%. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted and others denied.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and granted service connection for major depression. The veteran does not meet the criteria for PTSD, but his major depression is found to be related to service.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death, suicide by hanging, is not service-connected because there was no evidence showing a connection between his psychiatric disorders and military service.

The veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his employability.

The veteran does not have a separate depressive disorder apart from his already service-connected bipolar disorder, and therefore the claim for service connection for depression is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, depression, asthma, or a skin disorder (to include dermatitis and acne), or buttock fistula. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain additional medical records related to the veteran's gastric mobility, anxiety, and depression. The claims will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The veteran's PTSD with depression and substance abuse was rated at 50 percent prior to May 4, 2005. The VA granted a 100 percent rating effective from May 4, 2005.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric condition, including depression and PTSD.,Service connection was granted for degenerative and arthritic changes, lumbar spine with spinal stenosis, effective October 15, 2002; motor and sensory deficits, right lower extremity, associated with degenerative and arthritic changes, lumbar spine with spinal stenosis, effective February 25, 2004; motor and sensory deficits, left lower extremity, associated with degenerative and arthritic changes, lumbar spine with spinal stenosis, effective February 25, 2004; and sinusitis with allergies, effective October 15, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right upper extremity C6 nerve root radiculopathy with associated motor weakness and major depressive disorder, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the former denial. The veteran did not have a current disability linked to his in-service thoracic scoliosis or depression, nor could he establish secondary service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 5, 2001 for a 100 percent rating for his anxiety reaction due to lack of timely submission of a notice of disagreement and factual unascertainability regarding the onset of disability.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension by reason of need for regular aid and attendance is granted due to his psychiatric disability, which requires the aid and assistance of his spouse in performing certain daily activities.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD does not cause significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a rating of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's migraine disorder and major depression are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right eye disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for major depression, finding that there is no medical nexus between her military service and her current diagnosis.