Depression decisions — 2009

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for hepatitis C and secondary service connection for anxiety and depression were denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder to obtain additional evidence.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left leg injury, a low back disability, blackouts, a psychiatric disorder (anxiety neurosis and depression), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims, and no evidence showed that any current disabilities were incurred in or caused by active service.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for major depressive disorder was withdrawn.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder and PTSD, as there was no credible evidence of an in-service injury or verified stressor event.

The veteran is entitled to reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred on May 27, 2005 due to alcohol intoxication, depression, and suicidal thoughts. However, he is not entitled to reimbursement for the treatment received from May 28, 2005 through May 30, 2005.

The veteran's PTSD has been found to be 70 percent disabling, based on ongoing symptoms of depression, difficulty sleeping due to nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, panic attacks, irritability, exaggerated startle response, hypervigilance, problems with concentration, social isolation, suicidal ideations, psychomotor retardation, difficulty concentrating, and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores ranging from 39-45.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for a generalized anxiety disorder with depression and dementia, but the Board granted him a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disability.

The veteran's dementia with depression is granted as it is proximately due to his service-connected seizure disorder.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted, and the initial rating for migraine headaches was also denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, claimed as depression with anxiety and panic attacks, is being remanded for further development.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, claimed as depressive disorder, and a lung disability were dismissed due to the withdrawal of the claim by the veteran. The claim for type II diabetes mellitus was denied based on lack of evidence supporting a link to herbicide exposure.

The Board finds that further investigation by medical professionals is necessary to determine the etiology of the veteran's psychiatric disability.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction, migraine headaches, and shingles as the evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The appellant withdrew his appeals for service connection for PTSD, depression, patellofemoral stress syndrome with degenerative joint disease of the right knee secondary to service-connected instability of the right ankle with degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease secondary to service-connected instability of the right ankle with degenerative joint disease, status post arthroscopy and debridement, and mechanical low back pain with degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine as secondary to the service-connected instability of the right and left ankle with degenerative joint disease.

The Board remands the case to afford the veteran a VA examination and an opinion on whether his current depressive disorder is related to his military service or caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The appeal was remanded to obtain additional evidence and ensure a thorough examination.

The Board denied service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as the evidence did not corroborate the veteran's claimed in-service stressors.

The Board denied service connection for fatty liver due to hydrazine exposure, chronic degenerative joint disease of the spine with disc degeneration claimed as lumbago and back pain, and major depression.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, traumatic arthritis of the right knee, an eye disability, and depression/anxiety. The veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated as 10 percent from October 30, 2002 to September 12, 2004 and since July 1, 2007, and as 20 percent from September 13, 2004 through June 30, 2007.