Depression decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The effective date of his 100% rating for major depressive disorder is February 6, 2006.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) due to the lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The veteran's complaints were not supported by medical records or VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for dysthymia and low back disorder, finding that the new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a new examination to assess the veteran's current disability picture due to his major depressive disorder.

The veteran was granted a TDIU on March 27, 2003. The effective date for the award of service connection for residuals of shell fragment wound of the right foot is August 14, 2001.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder associated with cerebrovascular accident was not earlier than March 27, 2003.

The veteran's claim of an initial compensable rating for tinea cruris was granted. Service connection for a depressive disorder and headaches were also granted.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The claims for erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a somatoform disorder and a major depressive disorder, finding that the veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are at least as likely as not attributable to his military service. The other claims remain pending.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 50 percent effective from November 17, 2005. The Board finds that the symptoms of PTSD have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity since February 10, 2003.

The Board found no competent evidence showing that the veteran's depressive disorder is proximately due to his service-connected residuals of a left wrist fracture, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. The veteran's depression is considered to have been incurred during active service. There is no evidence of a current diagnosis of bipolar disorder or PTSD until decades post-service, nor is there any competent evidence linking these conditions to service. Service connection was granted on the basis of new and material evidence.

The veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD and/or other any psychiatric disability. The case is being remanded to obtain additional information about the stressors leading to his diagnosis, conduct a VA examination, and determine if there is a link between his current symptoms and in-service events.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection of a back disorder and a psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression). The preponderance of the evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and lumbosacral strain do not warrant higher initial evaluations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for GERD, malignant neoplasm of the brain, multiple lipoma chest and legs, and depression. The reasons are provided in the decision.

The Board found that the veteran's major depressive disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection. The residuals of a fractured right clavicle issue is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and further examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and thoracic spine disabilities, as well as a left shoulder disability. The veteran was granted service connection for recurrent major depression.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and bronchitis. The evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD, and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that any of these conditions were pre-existing or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD with depression was incurred in service, and she is granted service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for a foot disorder (bilateral heel spurs) is remanded for further examination and medical opinion.