Depression decisions — 2008

The Board has granted a 100 percent initial evaluation for the veteran's depression, finding that his disability most closely approximates the criteria for such a rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The VA has granted service connection for depressive disorder and assigned a 30 percent initial disability rating, effective from December 10, 2003.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder, bipolar disorder, and depression. The case is REMANDED to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Board has determined that the veteran's depression warrants a 30 percent disability rating, effective November 3, 2004. The initial compensable disability rating for headaches was also granted.

The Board found that the veteran was actually employable as of 2001 and discontinued his entitlement to Total Disability Rating due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) effective December 1, 2005.

The Board found that the veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and has other psychiatric disabilities such as Major Depressive Disorder, Adjustment Disorder, and Dysthymic Disorder. The claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's psychiatric disorders, including depression and panic disorder with features of agoraphobia, are as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected low back strain.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for alcohol and drug dependence, diabetes mellitus, type 2, and major depressive disorder. The reasons given were that these conditions are not related to service.

The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder is dismissed as her claim is barred due to the finality of a previous decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and review of stressor events in service. The veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a left foot callosity disorder and a depressive disorder, both found to be secondary to the veteran's service-connected right foot disability.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus was denied, and his claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depression) were also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support the veteran's assertions of current disabilities related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for fatigue, degenerative joint disease of multiple joints (claimed as multiple joint pain), gastrointestinal disorder to include erosive gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, skin disorder to include right elbow rash, depression, tension headaches, memory loss, genetic alopecia (claimed as hair loss), and PTSD. The Board found new and material evidence for these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a nervous disorder, currently characterized as Tourette's syndrome, and depression. The veteran's nervous disorder was manifested to a compensable degree within one year of his separation from service, while his depression was diagnosed shortly after service.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for residuals of a low back injury. However, there is no competent medical evidence showing current diagnoses or chronic disabilities of the foot, leg, hip, anxiety/depression, or PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD, finding that the veteran's mental health issues originated during active duty service. Service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of current diagnosis and conflicting medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of reopening a service connection for psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression and PTSD) is remanded due to insufficient consideration of additional VA treatment records, failure to consider the veteran's DD Form 214, and incomplete notice.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for SMC and automobile/conveyance benefits due to incomplete development of records, including VA outpatient records and SSA disability determination records. The RO must obtain these records and conduct a new VA examination to determine if the veteran requires daily personal health care services or is housebound solely as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted the veteran's claims of service connection for obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, sleep apnea, depression, a skin rash, and an eye disability as secondary to his service-connected hypothyroidism.