Depression decisions — 2008

The Board found that the veteran does not currently suffer from PTSD and there is no medical evidence linking his current psychiatric disability to his service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, anxiety and depression. The decision also grants increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for his left knee status post repair of ACL with instability and osteoarthritis with painful limitation of motion.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and conducting VA examinations to determine the severity of her right shin splints and depressive disorder, as well as whether any of her claimed conditions are related to her service-connected right shin splints.

The Board has determined that the earliest possible effective date for service connection and a rating of 100% for major depressive disorder is April 4, 2001. The veteran's claim was reopened in April 2001 when he submitted a response to a PTSD questionnaire, which VA interpreted as an application to reopen his psychiatric disorder claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for major depression, a bilateral shoulder disability, and a bilateral eye disability (characterized as floaters). The denial is based on the lack of evidence showing a current diagnosis or disease related to these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease, bilateral hip/knee/shoulder disabilities, and depression were not supported by the evidence of record. The preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, depression, and tinnitus) are sufficiently severe to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation given his education and occupational experience. As such, he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to service. The veteran was diagnosed with PTSD and depression during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, residuals of radiation exposure, and depression. The appeals were not granted as there was no credible evidence supporting these conditions.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for residuals of a right inguinal hernia repair and service connection for bilateral hearing loss were denied. The claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and PTSD) is considered 'unknown' as it does not involve service connection at all.

The veteran's depressive disorder, to include PTSD, was characterized by symptoms such as depressed mood, suicidal ideations, chronic sleep impairment, and disturbances of motivation. The disability resulted in mild social and industrial impairment from January 17, 1995 to November 7, 1996.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and he has service connection for hypertension and tinnitus. The right ankle disability claim was not addressed due to the veteran's prior disapproval.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for depression, alcohol dependency, and drug dependency. The RO's previous decisions denying these claims are considered final.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service, and therefore denies the claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease was denied. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to service or a service-connected disability, while the PTSD claim was granted.,The claims for depression and low back disorder were reopened but not granted.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from the Dallas Vet Center and requesting an examination addendum.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and thus grants a total disability rating on the basis of individual unemployability.

The Board found that the veteran's current mental illness, including paranoia, depression, and PTSD, did not have its onset in service or is otherwise related to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's personality disorder is not a disability for VA compensation purposes and his acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board concluded that any current psychiatric disabilities are more likely related to pre-existing conditions.

The veteran's bipolar disorder with depression was incurred in service and has been causally related to service, thus the claim for service connection is granted.