Depression decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, depression, dysthymia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need for a medical examination to determine if his current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for depression and for an earlier effective date prior to April 12, 2006 for service connection for depression.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain his VA treatment records from September 2001 to the present and to schedule him for a C&P examination to determine the etiology of his loss of balance. Additionally, he should be scheduled for a psychological examination to determine the etiology of his depression.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for dysthymia and major depressive disorder, but denied the claim of service connection for PTSD. The new evidence does not establish an in-service event related to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the veteran's major depressive disorder had its onset during his service.

The veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran withdrew his appeal for sleep apnea, a blood disease due to Agent Orange exposure, pneumonia including due to Agent Orange exposure, lupus and positive lupus anticoagulant including due to Agent Orange exposure, and peripheral neuropathy including due to Agent Orange exposure. The skin disorder characterized as basal cell carcinomas of the face and actinic keratoses of the hands and face was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's depressive disorder was not incurred in or aggravated during active service and is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury.

The VA denied an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for the service-connected depressive disorder, finding that the veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for gout and psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression), finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not timely file a substantive appeal regarding his claim of entitlement to service connection for depression, which was denied in May 2005. As such, the Board lacks jurisdiction to review the merits of this claim.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracic spine disorder, a lumbar spine disorder, and a depressive disorder due to back disorders.,The VA examiner found no evidence of permanent increased severity or aggravation of the veteran's back condition during or as a result of service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hepatitis C had its origin in service and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for depression as secondary to hepatitis C is remanded for further action.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and psychiatric disability, finding no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The examiner opined that any current psychiatric disability is not at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's depressive disorder, finding that it was incurred in service.

The Board found that the appellant's neuropsychological symptoms were not incurred in or aggravated by active service and are not due to an undiagnosed illness. The Board also determined that the appellant did not develop depression during his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The veteran's claims for service connection for depression and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for patellofemoral pain syndrome with chondromalacia of the left knee were both denied. The veteran was not granted any new ratings or effective dates.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, are at least as likely as not related to his military service. Therefore, both claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's depression is not related to his active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection. The issue of entitlement to a total rating for a period of convalescence due to a service-connected disability or other condition subject to compensation remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for paranoid personality disorder with schizoid traits, depression, and chronic pain syndrome due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.