Depression decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current depressive disorder is secondary to his service-connected tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, giving him the benefit of doubt.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess her current major depressive disorder and determine if she should receive a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for epilepsy and a psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) were denied. The denial of the epilepsy claim is final, and new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen it. The psychiatric disorder claim remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with depression and anxiety, finding that the Veteran's diagnosis is supported by a verified in-service stressor of rocket attacks while stationed in Da Nang, Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right shoulder disability, and a bilateral knee disability were denied as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for an earlier effective date for TDIU and service connection for various disabilities. The Board has remanded these issues due to the interrelated nature of the claims.

The Board denied service connection for major depressive disorder and a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim of service connection was reopened based on new evidence, but the Board found no basis to grant either issue.

The Board found that the Appellant's PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, major depression, and psychosis are due to disease or injury incurred in active duty for training.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for major depression with generalized anxiety disorder was granted, and he is now rated at 50 percent. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen his previously denied eye disability claim remains pending.

The Veteran's service records indicate he was diagnosed with schizotypal personality disorder during his active duty. The current appeal is about whether these in-service symptoms are indicative of an acquired psychiatric disability, such as bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia, that may have been aggravated by the in-service diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The competent and probative medical evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder, is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected depression resulted in occupational and social impairment, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The RO granted a 30 percent disability rating prior to February 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected depression was found to have caused occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks prior to October 29, 2008. Beginning October 29, 2008, the impairment more nearly approximated such symptoms.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected major depression and related conditions, which were contributory causes of his death. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his untimely death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder due to a lack of credible evidence supporting the occurrence of the claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran is entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including major depression, arthritis of the lumbar spine, arthritis of the thoracic spine, and residuals of an appendectomy scar.

The Veteran's depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available, due to significant impairment in most areas such as work and social functioning.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, varicose veins, hepatitis B, and left knee strain. The claim for increased rating for eczema was also denied.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claim for service connection for depression can be decided on its merits.