Depression decisions — 2008

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, major depression, and lung problems. The veteran's claims were denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for psychiatric disability, claimed as depression. The rating assigned is 20 percent for residuals of a right ankle sprain with traumatic arthritis.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 9411. The other claims for increased ratings and special monthly compensation were granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are denied as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease, and no current disability is shown.

The Board found no evidence of in-service stressor for post-traumatic stress disorder, and the veteran's depression and anxiety were not shown to have had onset during service. The claims are denied.

For the period from December 4, 1996 to November 6, 2007, the veteran met the criteria for a 70 percent rating for major depression.,Since November 7, 2007, the veteran has met the criteria for a 100 percent rating for major depression.

The Board found that the veteran's depression and esophagitis are not directly related to his service-connected dental condition, but rather due to frustration with VA administration.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The VA denied an increased disability rating for PTSD, finding that the veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disorder is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's skin disorder is not service-connected due to lack of evidence. The veteran's psychiatric disability, diagnosed as PTSD with depression, is service-connected based on the occurrence of stressors witnessed during his active duty at Ubon, Thailand.

The veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that this rating does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation due to the lack of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an abrasion on the right leg, a scar on the back of the head with migraines, and a psychiatric disorder including anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. The evidence did not establish a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C, depression, and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for low back pain. The veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, cervical degenerative joint disease with C-8 radiculopathy, dysthymia and major depression (claimed as secondary to cervical degenerative joint disease), and a compression fracture of the thoracic spine are denied.

The veteran's claims for PTSD with major depression and residuals of cold weather injuries were granted effective July 9, 2001. The Board denied requests for earlier effective dates.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for hepatitis C and denied his claim for depression. The Board found that hepatitis C was incurred due to willful misconduct (intravenous drug use) during service, while depression is not related to service.

The veteran's major depression and anxiety disorder have been granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent, effective June 10, 2004.

The veteran seeks service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Board has ordered remand due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of his current psychiatric disabilities and their relation to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy or stomach problems, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The Board also found that depression is secondary to his diabetes mellitus, but hypertension and hepatitis B are not related to either service or diabetes. Therefore, service connection is denied.