Depression decisions — 2009

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, major depression, and a skin condition due to Agent Orange exposure. The evidence submitted since the last denial was not new or material.

The Veteran's hospitalization from October 31, 2005 to December 29, 2005 was not for a service-connected disability and therefore he is not entitled to a temporary total evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, status post L4-L5 laminotomy and diskectomy with fixation of L4-L5, as secondary to residuals of compression fractures of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the service-connected low back disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from September 1, 2004 to September 2, 2004 were not reimbursable as she did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which in substance and effect constituted a grant of the benefit sought, of service connection for anxiety and depression.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, a low back condition, a left hip condition, a right hip condition, and a right knee condition, finding no current diagnoses of these conditions and insufficient evidence linking them to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased evaluations, and TDIU are being remanded due to procedural deficiencies and the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including major depressive disorder, hypertrophic gastritis, and tinnitus, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for depression and anxiety, and a back disorder. As such, these claims remain denied.

The VA denied the appellant's claims for service connection for his right knee disability and psychiatric disorder, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fibromyalgia is secondary to his service-connected PTSD and grants service connection for this condition. The claim for depression must be remanded for a medical opinion regarding whether it is related to PTSD or another service-connected disability, or if it is a separate condition. The claim for chronic pain and fatigue must also be remanded for a medical opinion on its relationship to the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, vertigo, hypertension, and arteriosclerosis as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The appeals were withdrawn by the Veteran at the time of his hearing before the Board.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and a higher rating for his lumbosacral spine disorder. This includes obtaining private medical records, securing Social Security Administration (SSA) disability determination records, scheduling VA examinations, and providing VCAA notice letters.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety, and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression was previously rated at 50 percent, and the RO increased it to 70 percent effective July 8, 2004. The Board now finds that a higher rating of 100 percent is warranted as of May 5, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for depression, right knee peripatellar pain syndrome, and left knee peripatellar pain syndrome were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of syphilis and depression, as well as a compensable evaluation for bilateral hallux valgus and pes planus. The Veteran's claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was also denied.,There is no clear evidence that the Veteran has current disabilities related to his period of active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is not related to his active duty service and denied this claim. The PTSD claim was remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of major depressive disorder began during service and granted service connection for this condition.