Depression decisions — 2008

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for dental trauma and an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depression. The Board found that there was no evidence of a link between the claimed conditions and active duty service.

The Board has granted the application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for major depressive disorder and denied entitlement to service connection for major depressive disorder. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for various conditions, including fatigue, PTSD, depressive disorder, memory loss, anxiety, anger, shortness of breath, and headaches. The appellant's service in the Southwest Asia theater did not result in any new or aggravated disabilities.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD with depression and anxiety. However, it was determined that new evidence did not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD or link the disorders to military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and GERD were denied as there was no credible evidence to support the claimed in-service stressors or a link between his current conditions and active duty.

The veteran's gastric ulcer was rated at 40 percent, and the claims for service connection for colon problems, Klinefelter's syndrome, and depression were denied.

The veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder, and allergic rhinitis were all determined to be service-connected.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for major depression with psychotic features, finding that September 27, 2000, was the earliest possible effective date.

The veteran's claim for an increased (compensable) rating for hemorrhoids was denied, while service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was granted.

The veteran's depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing with a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 50 percent and an effective date prior to January 31, 2001, for a 50 percent disability rating for anxiety reaction with depression.

The veteran's hypertension, right hand injuries, depressive disorder, and erectile dysfunction were evaluated, with some issues granted and others not.

The veteran's depression is service-connected as secondary to his postoperative residuals of a pilonidal cyst, but the disability rating for the pilonidal cyst and skin cancer claims remains at 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder claimed as an anxiety state with depressive disorder, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against the claim.

The veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied, while the claim for depression was reopened due to new and material evidence.

The veteran's initial rating for major depressive disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder was denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher 50 percent rating.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include depression and bipolar disorder, as it was not related to a disease or injury during active service and is not due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including a psychiatric examination by a qualified mental health professional.

The veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder was rated at 70 percent, but his idiopathic pericarditis with fibrosing mediastinitis remained at 30 percent.