Depression decisions — 2008

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of exposure to herbicides and asbestos in service, as well as VA examinations to determine the relationship between current disabilities and service.

The Board found that the veteran's depression existed prior to service and did not increase in severity during service. The claim for post-traumatic stress disorder was denied as there were no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor. The seizure disorder was also denied, with the Board finding it unrelated to service or any event during service.,The veteran's depression is presumed to have existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service.

The veteran's claims for service connection and a higher rating are being remanded to the RO for additional development of evidence.

The veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings for depression with insomnia was denied. The RO assigned a 10 percent rating from July 30, 2003 through June 23, 2005 and a 50 percent rating effective from June 24, 2005.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for COPD, leaving only the psychiatric disorder issue to be decided.

The Board has determined that there is no current valid diagnosis of PTSD, and thus service connection for PTSD cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hearing loss or PTSD, depression, or mixed adjustment disorder with depressed mood and anxiety that is related to his military service.

The veteran's right lower extremity weakness due to cerebrovascular accident is rated at 20 percent, effective the date of the event and continuing for six months. The veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent, effective April 28, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development, including obtaining additional evidence and arranging for a VA examination. The veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and depression is now reopened.

The veteran's mental conditions, including major depression with a history of psychotic features, psychosis NOS, schizophrenia, and depression NOS, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of such condition during service or within the first post-service year.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development and consideration of the appellant's claim for an extension of DEA benefits beyond the delimiting date of May 31, 2006.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a new examination.

The veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is manifested by symptoms such as depressed mood, impaired impulse control, anger and irritability, anxiety, infrequent panic attacks, chronic sleep impairment, memory problems, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and difficulty establishing work relationships. The VA has granted service connection for the condition but only assigned a 30 percent evaluation.

The VA denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no evidence showing a psychosis was incurred during or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder is aggravated by his service-connected rhinosinusitis, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to VCAA notice deficiencies and for additional development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling issue for a Travel Board hearing. The veteran's claims of service connection and reopening of his right knee condition claim are pending.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating for this condition. His epilepsy remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and manic depressive disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated during active service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.