Depression decisions — 2008

The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, bilateral knee patellofemoral syndrome, and depressive disorder with somatic preoccupation as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these previously denied claims.

The case is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including a medical review and/or examination to determine the appropriate effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD.

The Board concluded that the evidence did not support a conclusion that the veteran's major depressive disorder warranted an increased disability rating beyond 50 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bipolar disorder with depression and migraine headaches are being remanded to the RO for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen a previously denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and also denied entitlement to TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's depression was not related to his service-connected left ankle disability and denied the claim.

The Board denied service connection for major depression and a right knee disorder, as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's period of active service. The claims for a right eye disorder, cluster headaches, and tinnitus were remanded for further development.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and nervous disorder were reopened, but an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a total abdominal hysterectomy, right mastectomy, bone pain secondary to Tamoxifen for breast cancer, and depression, are of such severity as to preclude her from participating in any regular substantially gainful employment.

The appeal was dismissed due to the veteran's death.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and readjudication of the veteran's claims.

The veteran's major depressive disorder was incurred during service and has continued since then, warranting service connection.

The veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder is of moderate severity and does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent. The veteran is also not unemployable as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's initial rating for major depression was denied as the evidence did not support a higher than 30 percent rating.

The veteran's major depressive disorder with obsessive compulsive disorder is granted a 70 percent rating, as the evidence shows occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The veteran's service-connected depression is not shown to be more than mild in severity, warranting a rating of 10 percent and no higher.

The veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was not shown to be more severe than 50 percent disabling prior to December 13, 2004.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, impairment of the right lower extremity, major depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss, left ring finger arthralgia, and dermatitis. However, it granted service connection for tinnitus.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA psychiatric examination.