Depression decisions — 2008

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to his current deployment. He needs to be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the lump on his right hand, tinnitus, and any acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD and depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is required before the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, can be adjudicated.

The Board dismissed the claim for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent evaluation for adjustment disorder with depression as no justiciable case or controversy is before the Board at this time. The veteran's service-connected condition was found to have been rated appropriately from September 12, 2003.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD and there is no evidence of a current diagnosis for this condition. The veteran's service records do show treatment for anxiety and depression, which are consistent with his claimed generalized anxiety disorder and depressive disorder. Service connection is granted for these conditions as they are related to his active duty service.

The Board found that the veteran's psychiatric disability, diagnosed many years after service, is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine strain with degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbosacral spine strain with degenerative changes, tension headaches, right upper and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndromes, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder), right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right knee disability, and right hip disability. The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing right knee disability was not aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and right ear hearing loss, finding no evidence of a current disability related to his military service. The claim for right ear hearing loss was also denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the service-connected major depression, finding that it meets the criteria for such a rating based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for major depression from December 1, 2004 to June 11, 2006, based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board found that the veteran's psychiatric disorders, including depression and substance abuse, are not related to his service-connected left leg disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as adjustment disorder mixed with anxiety and depressed mood. The VA examiner concluded that this condition is at least as likely as not related to the veteran's service. Service connection was granted for this condition. However, service connection for Hepatitis C remains denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's depression is not related to his military service and denied the claim. The issue of asthma remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and there is no evidence linking any acquired psychiatric disorder to service. Therefore, service connection for both conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions (tinea pedis, low back strain, cervical strain, or residuals of a head injury) that are service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder with psychotic features and impotence was granted. The issues related to his original claim for a chronic acquired psychiatric disability were also addressed.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus warranted a 20% rating, hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by service, depressive disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD and his acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his military service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is granted.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to scheduling issues for a video conference hearing before the Board.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD, depression, chronic bronchitis, or a bilateral foot disorder. The evidence fails to establish any link between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD or depression as a result of service, and therefore denied both claims.