Depression decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for major depression (in partial remission) with PTSD is October 30, 2003.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, primarily manifested by poor sleep with recurrent nightmares and depression, warrants a continuation of the currently assigned 50 percent disability rating for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 50 percent evaluation for major depression with co-diagnosis of PTSD is denied. The evidence does not demonstrate an increase in symptoms associated with the service-connected psychiatric disability to rise to the level of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to October 12, 2004.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to the need for additional examination and development of records, as well as clarification on effective dates.

The veteran's claim for service connection for depression as secondary to her service-connected tension headaches was denied. Her claims for increased evaluations of her tension headaches prior to February 7, 2005 were also denied.,However, the VA granted a 50% evaluation for her tension headaches effective from February 7, 2005.

The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including manic depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. The claim for PTSD was denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for depression and anxiety, as well as his claim for an eye injury. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder, depression, and migraine headaches. The claims are still pending as they have not yet been decided on their merits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for secondary service connection for depression and an increased rating for galactorrhea/hyperprolactinemia and pituitary microadenoma, finding that her depressive symptoms were not related to her service-connected disability. The veteran's disability picture was found to more nearly approximate a 30 percent rating.

The Board found no current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, or bipolar disorder. The veteran's diagnosed paranoid personality disorder is not a disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability, skin disability, or incoordination disability related to her active duty service. The VA examiner found no evidence of any such disabilities during service and concluded that they are not related to service.

The Board has ordered additional development due to outstanding treatment records and a need for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the veteran's depression is related to service or his service-connected post-traumatic headache disorder.

The veteran's depression is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and hepatitis is denied as there is no current diagnosis. The chronic headache disorder claim is pending and will be addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety, and depression due to a lack of evidence linking his current psychiatric disorders to his military service.

The veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he is currently employed and his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at a 30 percent disability level, effective from March 14, 2005.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disability, but the case has been remanded due to insufficient information and need for further examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diagnosed left eye occlusion and bilateral glaucoma, a bilateral foot fungus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The conditions were not related to his military service or any service-connected condition.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either.