Depression decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The veteran was granted service connection for dysthymia and depression as secondary to a service-connected low back disability with an effective date of May 10, 2004. The initial rating assigned is 10 percent.

The Board has ordered a remand for further development of the veteran's mental health condition, including assessing the impact of drug and alcohol abuse on his disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including anxiety and depression, was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service. The claim is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and hiatal hernia, as well as service connection for depression. The claim to reopen a claim of service connection for lumbar disc disease/arthritis was also denied.

The Board has withdrawn the veteran's claims for service connection for brain disease, neck pain, back pain, and depression. The claim for coronary artery disease was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between such condition and service. The previously denied claim for an eye disorder with defective or blurred vision was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and conducting VA examinations. The case will be reviewed again after these actions are completed.

The veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and his claim for service connection of COPD as secondary to his depression has been reopened. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or due to housebound status has been denied as he does not meet the criteria for either condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to issues related to service connection for major depression and PTSD. The veteran's representative intended to file a petition to reopen the claim for PTSD, which is now intertwined with the current appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder and bilateral great toe disability were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's appeal for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied. The claim to reopen his service connection for anxiety disorder and depression was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's depressive and PTSD symptoms have not met the criteria for a higher initial evaluation prior to October 17, 2006, or since that date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the reduction of benefits due to incarceration was proper and that the other claims were not supported by evidence.

The Board found no current diagnosis of PTSD or a medical link between the veteran's claimed symptoms and his active service. The major depressive disorder was also not incurred in or by active service.

The veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety, depression, and dyspepsia is currently rated at 50 percent. The rating for the papulosquamous eruption remains at 30 percent since July 17, 1998.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, due to sexual assault during his military service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection of a depressive disorder, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by military service and not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has granted a 50 percent initial disability rating for the veteran's MDD with GAD from June 1, 1999 to February 22, 2007. The claim for an increased rating since February 23, 2007 is denied.