Depression decisions — 2008

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to the veteran's service-connected lower back muscle strain with neurogenic claudication and neck muscle strain. The effective date of this grant is January 12, 2001. Service connection for depressive disorder was also granted but with an earlier effective date than January 12, 2001.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), lesions and keratoses, and major depressive disorder (depression). Service connection for peptic ulcer disease (PUD) was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PUD.

The Board found that the veteran's major depressive disorder was not related to his service-connected prostatitis with epididimytis, and therefore denied the claim.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected depression with anxiety, adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features, and history of bipolar disorder. The issue of individual unemployability (TDIU) will be deferred pending resolution of the rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for depression and arthritis, all joints have been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for a chronic back disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities and obtain any outstanding medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection of negative psychological effects secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The Board also granted a 20% disability evaluation for residuals of fracture of the right tibia, but noted that separate ratings were assigned for the right knee and ankle conditions.

The Board denied service connection for depression and granted a 10 percent evaluation for right knee disability, effective July 28, 2004. The veteran's claim for increased rating of the right knee remains pending.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his service-connected major depressive disorder and determine if he is unemployable.

The Board found that the submitted evidence was not new and material, thus denying the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's claims for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits, service connection for post-traumatic brain syndrome, hepatitis C, chronic fatigue syndrome, and depression were all denied. The claim of service connection for post-traumatic brain syndrome was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found no current diagnosis of a left clavicle or shoulder disorder, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The VA determined that the veteran's current anxiety and depression were not incurred during his military service.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.,The TDIU rating was dismissed as the 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD precludes assignment of a TDIU.

From April 8, 2003 to May 22, 2007, the veteran's PTSD with panic disorder and major depression was rated at 70 percent.,Effective from May 23, 2007, the veteran is entitled to a 100 percent rating for his PTSD with panic disorder and major depression.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, or anxiety, and diabetes mellitus with secondary conditions was dismissed due to the veteran withdrawing his appeal of the issue of service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for depressive disorder, not otherwise specified (claimed as PTSD), and loss of use of a creative organ. Service connection was granted for atherosclerotic heart disease with an initial rating of 10 percent.

The veteran seeks service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder. The case is remanded to the RO for further development, including verifying stressors and obtaining a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim for a TDIU due to inadequate VCAA notice and because his service connected disabilities may render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. The RO must provide VCAA compliant notice, adjudicate the low back disorder claim, schedule VA examinations of all service-connected conditions, and readjudicate the TDIU claim.