Depression decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disability was not incurred during service and is related to substance abuse, specifically alcohol and drug abuse. As a result, the claim for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder and depression is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's major depressive disorder and right hand reflex dystrophy do not warrant a higher rating based on their current symptoms.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 13, 2000 for the grant of service connection for depressive disorder, NOS, right shoulder tendonitis, and left shoulder tendonitis.

The Board found that the veteran's major depressive disorder was not incurred or aggravated by military service. The evidence submitted since the RO's February 1997 decision is new and material, thus reopening his claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus.

The veteran's PTSD with depression has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity since September 27, 2001. The symptoms include flattened affect, panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty understanding complex commands, impaired short-term and long-term memory, impaired judgment, impaired abstract thinking, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to assess the veteran's ability to obtain and maintain gainful employment due to his multiple disabilities, excluding those related to substance abuse or willful misconduct.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have an affective disorder related to military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

For the period prior to February 20, 2008, the veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with complaints of depression and chronic fatigue syndrome results in chronic fatigue symptoms that restrict routine daily activities by less than 25 percent.,For the period from February 20, 2008 to the present, the veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with complaints of depression and chronic fatigue syndrome results in chronic fatigue symptoms that restrict routine daily activities to 50 to 75 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and a gall bladder disability, including ulcers. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for DDD C4-C5 and cervical myositis as secondary to the veteran's service-connected residuals of left knee meniscus tear, but denied service connection for lumbar myositis. The claim for a higher rating for the left knee disabilities remains pending.

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection of depression should be April 1, 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for ADHD, depression, dysthymia, and allergies. The effective date of the increased rating for sleep apnea from February 10, 2004 was also denied.

The Board finds that the veteran's current dysthymic disorder began in service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder with psychotic features is not related to his military service, including as a result of exposure to the Anthrax vaccine. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is required.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depressive disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by her active duty service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression secondary to diabetes, CAD, valvular heart disease, acid reflux or GERD, elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, intermittent claudication, diabetic retinopathy, left foot and toe disability, psoriasis, and hypertension. The reasons for these denials are provided in the decision.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim, but denied service connection for depression.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety and depression, as well as gastritis with chronic abdominal pain, both secondary to the veteran's service-connected lumbar plexopathy due to carbon monoxide exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, adjustment disorder, dysthymia, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), was incurred in active military service.