Depression decisions — 2009

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right lung disorder, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for chronic left ankle sprain, and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for major depression, recurrent generalized anxiety disorder were denied. However, the claim for an initial compensable evaluation for right ear hearing loss was granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating, service connection for a seizure disorder and depression as secondary to his service-connected disability, and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and evidence.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, Ménière's disease, a left foot disorder, rhinitis, and a psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for depression, finding no evidence of a current diagnosis and no medical nexus between active duty or tinnitus and the Veteran's reported symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis or that any of the conditions were related to the Veteran's military service.

The appeal was partially granted, as new and material evidence was found to reopen the claim for a right knee disability. The claims for depression and anxiety, tailbone fracture, right leg disability, stomach condition, and increased rating for low back strain were denied.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent, and he is not totally unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the claims for eligibility of payment of attorney fees from past-due benefits arising from awards of service connection for right knee disability and major depressive disorder as secondary to right knee disability.

The Veteran's recurrent renal calculi was rated at 10 percent prior to May 18, 2007 and increased to 30 percent effective that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not combine to preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD with depression due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors occurred.

The Veteran was granted an increased rating of 20 percent for left foot plantar fasciitis effective November 4, 2008, and a further increase to 30 percent was also granted.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of hemilaryngectomy are rated at 100 percent, which effectively moots a TDIU claim for that period.

The Board reopens the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, a skin disorder characterized as rashes, abnormal growths, and an excised cyst on the tail bone, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and shrinking testicles. It then addresses these claims on their merits.,Service connection is denied for a right chest lump, residuals of exposure to sarin oil and nerve agents, smoke inhalation, radiation exposure, irritable bowel syndrome, and tinea cruris.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, as there was no credible medical evidence of a diagnosis of PTSD or any symptoms associated with that disorder based on verified stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder was denied, while his initial rating for paranoid schizophrenia was increased to 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and denied a higher initial disability rating for sinusitis.

The appeal was dismissed as the Veteran and his accredited representative withdrew from consideration certain issues, and a chronic low back disorder was not shown to have been present in service or for many years thereafter.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for additional death pension benefits based on a need for aid and attendance, as the evidence did not show that she was in need of regular aid and attendance prior to July 22, 2002.