Depression decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have been granted an initial compensable rating of 30 percent, effective from the date of the decision. Service connection for temporomandibular joint disorder has not been established.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability existed prior to service and was not aggravated by military service. The claim for service connection for depression is granted as it is determined to be a direct result of service.

The Veteran's claim for retroactive payment of VA disability compensation benefits prior to October 22, 2003 is denied as the effective date cannot be earlier than that date due to legal dispositions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD or depression, and thus these claims are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for nosebleeds and depression, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and his active service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, to include panic disorder and depression, was granted a 50 percent rating effective September 27, 2007. Prior to this date, the disability had been rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's panic disorder without agoraphobia is found to be incurred in service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acid reflux, left wrist condition, and depression as secondary to his service-connected bilateral foot disabilities have been denied. The maximum rating of 30 percent has been assigned for residuals of bilateral foot frostbite.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to unclear evidence regarding his employability.

The Veteran's undifferentiated somatoform disorder with depression is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating. Service connection for numbness of the lower extremities secondary to a hernia operation was granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee. The issues of service connection for depression and coronary artery disease with history of myocardial infarction are also addressed, but not decided on this remand.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, hearing loss, right knee disability, osteoarthritis of the hips, left hand disability, flat feet, and depression. The evidence submitted did not provide a link between these conditions and service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional information is needed to decide the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression. Specifically, VA needs to obtain records from SSA and arrange for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current depression disability is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected sinusitis and/or pes planus disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and evaluation of the appellant's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated during active duty and therefore denied her claims for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in disturbances of motivation and mood, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board found that his symptoms did not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected major depression with tension headaches has not met the criteria for a higher initial disability rating since November 1, 2004.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found no new evidence to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for depression and PTSD, but denied both on the merits as there is no evidence of a verified in-service stressor.