Depression decisions — 2008

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic headache disorder and irritable bowel syndrome, which represent complete grants of the benefits sought on appeal.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD. The veteran's claim for depression is considered a new claim as it had not previously been denied.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, hypertension (presumed to be related to diabetes mellitus), and depression. The veteran's claims were not granted.

The veteran's PTSD symptoms resulted in mild to moderate social impairment, warranting a 30 percent evaluation from August 9, 2007. Prior to that date, the veteran was granted an initial 10 percent evaluation for his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for PTSD and depression need further development due to incomplete information regarding in-service stressors, and a need for additional medical opinions.

The veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder, with anxiety neurosis and depression, is manifested by total occupational impairment, suicidal ideations and repeated suicide attempts requiring hospitalization, as well as consistently low Global Assessment Functioning (GAF) scores, reflective of an inability to function in almost all areas. A 50 percent rating has been granted from May 7, 2004.

The Board found that the veteran's depressive disorder did not develop as a result of his service or any aspect thereof, including his diabetes mellitus. The VA examiner concluded that the depression was more likely related to his non-service-connected HIV diagnosis.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA treatment records and providing a new psychiatric examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids, finding that his depression was not related to military service, his left knee disorder was not secondary to his right knee disability, hypertension was not due to military service, and his hemorrhoids did not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is due to his inpatient medical treatment for hepatitis during military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim to reopen his PTSD and depression claims, finding that new evidence supports these claims. The issues of service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) including depression are now before the Board.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected obsessive compulsive disorder with depression is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records, including those from Mayview State Hospital and the Social Security Administration.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for correction of a notice deficiency and reconsideration. The veteran's claim is being remanded due to insufficient competent medical evidence regarding her current severity of major depression.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current depressive disorder is not related to his active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the veteran's current generalized anxiety disorder and/or depression began during service or is related to his service-connected atrial fibrillation.

The veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted TDIU. His degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine does not warrant a higher initial rating.

The veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is denied as he did not meet the eligibility requirements due to insufficient service and lack of a service-connected disability at discharge.

The Board has determined that the veteran's mood disorder with panic disorder does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, and his sleep apnea syndrome does not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including insomnia and variously diagnosed as depression and PTSD, based on the veteran's exposure to stressors during his active military service in a graves registration unit.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is denied as there is no credible evidence that the veteran experienced a stressor related to his military service, making it impossible to establish service connection.