Depression decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hepatitis C, a back disorder, chronic liver disease, depression, tension and anxiety, chronic headaches, and nervous system damage. The decision also addressed his claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 21, 2000 for the grant of service connection for major depression with psychoses and personality changes, post meningitis, encephalitis, and head trauma is granted. The effective date will be set to May 19, 1989.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluation of his service-connected discogenic disease of L5-S1 with lumbar strain was granted, and he is currently receiving a 20% evaluation since November 27, 2007. The issue regarding the psychiatric disorder has been reopened, but no new evidence has been provided to support reopening the claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for postoperative residuals of skin cancer, myocardial infarction, status post removal of a Warthin tumor (thyroid glandular problems), PTSD, major depressive disorder, DJD of the lumbar spine, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, hypertension, bilateral knee disorder, and arthritis. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board is remanding the case to consider a secondary service connection claim for depression resulting from a service-connected stomach disability, which may have contributed to the veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that the veteran's depression was aggravated during his last period of active duty. The HIV status issue is pending as there are no medical opinions on whether it preexisted or occurred during this period.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric condition, specifically major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for adjustment disorder and a compensable rating for hypertension were denied as her failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause resulted in the denial of these claims.

The veteran's claim for higher evaluations of his service-connected psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a new examination.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions, including a skin condition, dysuria, depression, memory loss and concentration problems, bilateral ankle stiffness and pain, bilateral hand pain and swelling, DJD of the cervical and lumbar spine, and bilateral patellofemoral syndrome, were not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service. The Board concluded that these conditions are not related to an undiagnosed illness or any other known clinical diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's suicide was caused by a psychiatric disorder, likely PTSD, which developed due to his service in 1977. The evidence is in equipoise regarding whether this condition was related to service and thus service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding in-service stressors and a need for further examination to determine if PTSD is related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for burn scars to the chest, neck and right forearm as there is no medical evidence of current disability. The claim for service connection for depression was remanded due to recent treatment records not being associated with the file.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is not related to his military service and denied the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder does not warrant a higher initial rating than 30 percent, as it results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board denied service connection for seizure disorder and manic depression, finding no evidence of in-service onset or aggravation.,PTSD was not established as the veteran did not engage in combat with an enemy force.

The veteran's request for a video conference hearing before the Board has been scheduled, and he is being given an opportunity to reschedule it at a more convenient location. The case will be remanded due to this scheduling issue.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including hearing loss and a bilateral leg disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The veteran's status post superficial burn of the left arm is also denied as it was not related to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain missing VA medical records and to schedule him for a psychiatric examination to determine the nature, severity, and relationship of his service-connected PTSD and depression.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral flat feet and finds that the veteran's current diagnoses of left foot arthritis, right foot arthritis, left leg arthritis, right leg arthritis, and depression are not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.