Depression decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and for residuals of gonorrhea. The decision is based on a lack of new and material evidence to reopen the claim for residuals of gonorrhea.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and alcohol abuse. The initial evaluation prior to December 4, 2006 was denied as not meeting the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent. As of December 4, 2006, the VA also denied a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disorder did not begin during service and was not caused by a disease or injury incurred in service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral strain, depression and anxiety, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and right great toe disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran withdrew his appeals for all right knee issues. The claim for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of worsening symptoms or additional relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and will consider the service connection claims again.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disability, other than PTSD. The decision is mixed as it grants both conditions but does not specify the basis of each grant.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and depression as secondary to PTSD due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors.

The veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities, including a right ankle fracture, chronic low back pain, hypertension, cervical myositis, arthritis of the left foot, depressive disorder, and morbid obesity, has been established. As such, he qualifies for special monthly pension based on this need.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a more recent VA examination and the acquisition of additional treatment records.

The Board found that the veteran did not have an acquired psychiatric disability in service, and there is no evidence linking his current psychiatric disabilities to service. The claim for PTSD was denied as well due to lack of credible supporting evidence of a verified stressor.

The VA determined that the veteran's depression with undifferentiated somatoform disorder does not warrant a rating higher than 50 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for VCAA-compliant notification and VA compensation examination reports.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sleep apnea and depression are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service event. The Board finds that the veteran's claims for these conditions cannot be granted on a direct basis.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for a paranoid personality disorder with situational anxiety and depression, finding new and material evidence. The case is remanded to allow for further development of records and an examination.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking the veteran's current depression, anxiety, and anger management issues to his military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's disabilities, including a right flank hernia and major depressive disorder with memory loss, combined to reach a total disability rating of 70 percent effective May 1, 1999. The Board denied the claim for an earlier effective date due to lack of evidence showing that these conditions alone precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, initially diagnosed as major depressive disorder and later reclassified as PTSD, was granted with an effective date prior to March 16, 2001. The RO assigned a 50 percent rating for the period since March 16, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bipolar disorder, anger, and depression must be remanded due to missing VA treatment records and a need to consider his PTSD claim.

The veteran's major depressive disorder has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent rating.