Depression decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected depressive disorder, NOS and PTSD, as well as tinnitus, are denied. The highest available rating for tinnitus is 10 percent.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for depression, which he claims is related to his service-connected erectile dysfunction and/or left genito-femoral neuralgia. The Board has decided that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of any current psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The issues of service connection for various conditions are under review.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for polyarthralgias. Additional development is needed to address claims for other conditions, including depressive disorder, shoulder disorders, stomach issues, prostate problems, and lumbar spine issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or Major Depressive Disorder, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to be service connected due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The appeal for service connection for depression was dismissed as no justiciable case or controversy remains.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination of her service-connected depressive disorder, and consideration of whether she meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA psychiatric examination and an evaluation of whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an anxiety disorder, claimed as PTSD, was denied because there is no evidence of a relationship between his current disability and his military service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been manifested by symptoms such as depressed, irritable, anxious, and dysphoric mood, mild anxiety, halting speech, limited insight, and sloppily groomed appearance. The evidence shows the Veteran is alert and oriented to person, place, and time, with normal impulse control, mental control, attention, concentration, judgment, and no suicidal or homicidal ideation. Based on these findings, an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder is not warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The effective dates are set at February 19, 1997.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's depressive disorder, and a new VA psychiatric examination is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and dysthymic disorder are related to his service. The Veteran experienced chronic symptoms of depression and anxiety during service and continues to experience these conditions post-service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran is unable to secure and maintain gainful employment due to his willful misconduct, specifically substance abuse. As a result, he is not entitled to nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and readjudication due to concerns about the reliability of information provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's mental disability, specifically depression and bipolar disorder, was not found to be caused by VA-administered interferon treatment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye disability is pending.,Service connection for PTSD has been denied as the evidence does not establish that the claimed in-service stressors actually occurred and there is no link between current symptoms and any verified stressor events.

The Veteran's major depression is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on her symptoms.