Depression decisions — 2008

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her hysterectomy and cervical spine disability, render her unemployable. The Board finds that she is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and declined to reopen the veteran's claim of depression. The decision found that COPD was not related to service, and no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the depression claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder caused no more than occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating from January 9, 2002 to April 26, 2006.

The veteran's service records do not show any psychiatric symptoms during or immediately after his military service. The VA treatment records indicate a current diagnosis of depression, but there is no medical evidence linking this condition to his time in the military.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of chronic depressive disorder or schizophrenia, and finds that these conditions are not related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case to determine if the veteran's depressive disorder is related to his service-connected lumbar spine, left knee and right shoulder disabilities.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a mental condition claimed as bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records and other relevant medical history.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a video-conference hearing at the RO. Service connection claims for PTSD, hypertension (due to exposure to Agent Orange and as secondary to diabetes mellitus), and depression are pending.

The veteran's major depression has been rated at 50 percent prior to April 24, 2007 and at 70 percent since then. The decision is mixed as some issues have resulted in a grant of higher ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of increased rating for generalized anxiety with depression, service connection for heart disability, and residuals, bilateral frozen ears. The claim to reopen a previous denial regarding residuals, bilateral frozen feet was also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's currently diagnosed depression is not etiologically related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of schizophrenia or PTSD, and his depressive symptoms are related to confinement in the prison system. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a disorder manifested by fatigue, headaches, joint pain, depression, and anxiety, diagnosed as compatible with fibromyalgia.

The Board found that major depressive disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder, lumbar strain, and cervical spine disability were incurred in service. The mental health disorder began during his period of active duty due to an incident involving back pain and wrongful accusations. The lumbar strain is related to a diagnosed condition during service, while the cervical spine disability is not related to any aspect of service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected anxiety reaction did not significantly or materially contribute to his congestive heart failure, which resulted in his death. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death was denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. The Board also found that the current psychiatric disorders are likely due to events in service.

The veteran is seeking an increased disability rating for his service-connected psychiatric disability, specifically depression with panic disorder and agoraphobia. The RO has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination to determine the current severity of the condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran currently experiences major depressive disorder, which had initial manifestation during military service. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, is granted.

The Board denied service connection for condyloma acuminatum, depression, sterility, and hypertension as claimed due to herbicide exposure. The veteran's claims were not supported by competent medical evidence demonstrating a current disorder and a link between the disorder and his active service.