Depression decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury related to his claimed conditions. The right ankle disability was rated at noncompensable level due to full range of motion. The PTSD with secondary major depressive disorder was found to meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating.

The veteran's service connection claim for major depression is granted as a separate disability from fibromyalgia.

The veteran has withdrawn all of his claims before the VA.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder (depression) and PTSD were denied. The claim to reopen his PTSD was not granted due to lack of new and material evidence. His scars, shell fragment wounds, right forearm and wrist were rated as noncompensable. Service connection for restrictive lung disease prior to February 8, 1999, was also denied.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The veteran's discharge was for a service-connected disability (major depressive disorder), making him eligible for Chapter 30 educational assistance.

The Board found that the veteran's major depressive disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, as it did not result in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a major depressive disorder and a back disorder, finding no evidence of such conditions during active duty or within one year post-service. The appellant was not diagnosed with these conditions until several years after separation from military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder or an acquired psychiatric disability, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed major depressive disorder is not causally related to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, kidney cancer, depression, hypertension, hearing loss, tinnitus, eye sight problems, and a heart disorder manifested by premature ventricular contractions due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an extraschedular evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hammertoes, as well as his secondary service connection claims for a bilateral knee disability and depressive disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for tremors, finding them to be due to an undiagnosed illness as a result of service in the Southwest Asia theater during the Persian Gulf War. Service connection was also granted for depression, determined to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting major depression did not increase in severity during service and therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disorder is denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and major depression are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if her conditions were aggravated by military service or have a relationship with her service.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to fulfill its duty to assist and additional evidence received. The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral pes planus is being referred back to the RO for further review.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. However, further development is needed to confirm whether all criteria set forth under 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f) for service connection of PTSD have been met.

The Board has determined that the veteran's depressive disorder is related to her service-connected low back disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with anxiety and depression. The veteran's current diagnoses of a stomach disorder and migraine and cluster headaches are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension by reason of being housebound is denied as he does not meet the criteria for this benefit due to his disabilities.