Depression decisions — 2008

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected depressive disorder, and for additional development of his claims file.

The veteran's PTSD with depression has been rated at 30 percent since November 11, 2003. The VA examiner found the veteran to have moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities (chronic low back pain syndrome, major depression, and tinnitus) render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, left wrist disorder, and right wrist disorder. The heart disorder claim is pending as the evidence does not establish its onset during service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for manic depression and paranoid schizophrenia due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions. The veteran is required to provide additional medical records, including those related to his Social Security Disability benefits.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for depression. However, the claim remains denied as there is no credible evidence of a verified in-service stressor upon which a diagnosis of PTSD can be based.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any current disabilities related to his active military service.,There is no medical evidence linking any of the claimed conditions (residuals of pneumonia, sinusitis with allergic rhinitis, depression, and chronic diarrhea) to his period of service.

The veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection of headaches, and the Board has dismissed the matter without prejudice.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its complications, render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his poor balance caused by decreased eyesight and impaired depth perception, as well as weakness and numbness in his extremities. The Board finds that he is unable to function without supervision and assistance.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depressive disorders, as well as PTSD, is not service-connected due to a lack of verified in-service stressors. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has found that the veteran's major depressive and anxiety disorders had their onset in service, granting service connection for these conditions. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, scheduling new examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected depressive disorder and left knee disability, and considering the claims again after all relevant evidence has been considered.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination.

The veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected major depressive disorder was granted, with a rating of 70 percent effective May 3, 2006. The initial rating prior to that date remains unchanged at 30 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's current neurological findings to include tremors and ataxia were not related to service, and his psychiatric disorders are not related to service or a service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed, including Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records. The veteran's mental health condition will be evaluated by a VA psychiatrist to determine if it is related to service.

The veteran's right shoulder disorder is rated at 10% due to arthritis and painful motion. Service connection for facial acne, bipolar disorder (claimed as major depression), and gastritis are all granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current tinnitus is related to his military service. The remaining claims are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has granted a TDIU from June 15, 2006 to August 16, 2008 due to the veteran's service-connected prostate cancer and other disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's appeal of the September 20, 2002 rating decision was not timely filed. As a result, the Board lacks jurisdiction to consider his claims.