Depression decisions — 2008

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder, finding that the veteran's current symptoms are related to an in-service sexual assault.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the right tonsil, salivary dysfunction, and depression, all claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and the veteran's military service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 21, 1999 for the establishment of basic eligibility for Dependent's Educational Assistance under Title 38, United States Code, Chapter 35. The TDIU claim is denied as there was no increase in disability but rather a new service-connected condition.

The veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including paranoid schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. The case is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need to obtain Social Security Administration records.

The veteran's claim is being remanded for further evaluation of her post-traumatic stress disorder with depression, including verification of hospitalization records and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 16, 2007 for the award of a 30 percent rating for depression.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to lack of evidence showing that his injuries were caused by VA care, treatment or examination.

The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The appellant is also asked to provide more detailed information about alleged in-service events that may have contributed to his current conditions.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of March 31, 2004 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus. The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders is remanded for further development.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected closed head injury disability with mild cognitive disorder and depression. For the period from August 27, 2001 to January 13, 2002, the disability was rated at 10 percent. On and after January 14, 2002, it was rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of a neck injury incurred in service and denied his claim for this condition. The issue of service connection for psychiatric disability is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy (claimed as a visual disability), erectile dysfunction, and hypertension. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) remains pending.

The Board found no evidence of a current psychiatric disability and concluded that any depression or anxiety the veteran currently experiences is not related to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to care for his daily personal needs without assistance from others, or unable to protect himself from the hazards and dangers of his daily environment on a regular basis. The Board denied both claims due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a depressive disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic psychiatric disability in service or within one year following discharge. The examiner opined that the current depressive disorder was not related to military service.

The Board has decided that the veteran's depression may be related to his service-connected tinnitus, and a remand is ordered for further examination and development.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder related to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 70 percent disabling, reflecting severe social and occupational impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for a major depressive disorder, finding that it is related to the veteran's service-connected disabilities. The claim for left knee disability remains pending as there are no current medical findings of a specific left knee disability.

The Board has granted a rating of 100 percent for the veteran's service-connected depressive reaction, finding that it effectively results in total social and occupational impairment. The initial rating for diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent.