Depression decisions — 2009

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, nervous stomach disorder, dizziness, nausea and vertigo, sinusitis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims were found to lack new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, will be remanded for additional development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the obtaining of medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that an evaluation in excess of this rating is not warranted based on his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to her service and has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an above-the-knee amputation of the right leg and major depressive disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Specifically, the Board determined that the Veteran's right leg amputation was not caused by or aggravated by a service-connected condition, including his low back disability. The Board also found that the Veteran's major depressive disorder did not have its onset in service.

The Veteran's service-connected conversion reaction with PTSD and depression was granted a 10 percent rating effective from March 9, 1998. The Veteran's sling palsy of the left arm received a 20 percent rating effective from April 23, 1999.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain medical records. The issues are whether he can establish service connection for depression and anxiety as secondary to his wrist injury, and if so, what rating should be assigned for his wrist condition.

The Veteran's appeal was initially denied for service connection for PTSD and major depression. However, the RO granted service connection for a conversion reaction with PTSD and major depression in 2003, effective from June 8, 1976. The Veteran appealed this decision, but the Board vacated it due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied. The initial rating of 50 percent for depression, effective February 3, 2006, is granted. However, the appeal for a higher rating for depression after May 18, 2007, remains pending.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include depression, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected bilateral flat feet, lumbosacral myositis and/or left shoulder tendinitis. The Board has determined that an additional examination is needed as the previous VA examination was inadequate.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a skin disorder, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The claims are now pending before the RO.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for service-connected undifferentiated somatoform and major depressive disorders was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder, was incurred during active duty service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been granted, with a 10 percent evaluation for nonallergic vasomotor rhinitis and chronic maxillary sinusitis since July 29, 2004. The claim for GERD remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for hearing loss and TDIU, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted. The effective date for the grant of a TDIU was determined to be September 26, 2003.

The Board is remanding the case due to the need to consider whether other diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service and to obtain additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD and depression are linked to in-service stressors, including a base attack during service in Vietnam. The Veteran's claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is rated at 50 percent since the grant of service connection, effective from March 2007. The appeal for an increased rating remains pending.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, diagnosed as panic disorder with agoraphobia, major depressive disorder, features of PTSD, is currently rated at 70 percent effective October 18, 2004.