Depression decisions — 2008

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues raised in a motion for remand, including the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of new evidence.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate was denied as he did not have a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent disabling with additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent, nor was he shown to be substantially confined to his home by reason of his service-connected disabilities prior to October 27, 2003.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person or due to being housebound.

The Board has determined that the veteran's psychiatric disability is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected heart disease.

The veteran's claims for service connection for alopecia areata totalis and depression have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD with MDD. The issue of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and MDD will be considered together with the TDIU claim.

The Board denied service connection for depression and alcohol and drug abuse as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and denied it due to lack of a confirmed diagnosis. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Major Depression and Anxiety Disorder, is remanded.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 20, 1999 for the grant of service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and panic disorder without agoraphobia.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted. The veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his in-service stressor, an explosion on board the USS Raleigh, resulting in deaths of sailors. Major depression is also found to be secondary to PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's anxiety disorder and depression with insomnia are not related to service, resulting in a denial of these claims.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder, effective from March 15, 2007. The claim was reopened based on new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if the veteran meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD and/or depression.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder and for a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability. The veteran's major depressive disorder was not shown to have originated during active service, nor is it linked to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for dysthymic disorder and major depressive disorder have been dismissed as the same manifestations are considered under different diagnoses (PTSD, dysthymic disorder, and major depressive disorder).

The Board has remanded the case due to issues regarding service connection for major depression, including whether the veteran's pre-existing depressive disorder was aggravated by treatment for substance abuse during service.

The Board denied service connection for heart condition, systemic nerve damage, stenosis of the lumbar canal with associated right sided sciatica and loss of use of legs with numbness, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, residuals of chronic prostatitis with retractable testicles, painful erection/ejaculation, and depression.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new hearing before a Veterans Law Judge via video conference. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service department mental health clinic records and administrative records. The veteran's claims for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia and depression are also being reviewed.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.