Depression decisions — 2009

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include depressive disorder and schizoid personality disorder.

The veteran's major depression was rated at 30 percent prior to February 2, 2004, and increased to 50 percent effective that date. The Board found no evidence of a rating in excess of these levels.

The veteran's claims for service connection for fatigue, migraine, headaches, joint pain, memory loss, adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety, and gastroesophageal reflux disease were denied.

The veteran's service connection for PTSD was granted, while his claims for bipolar affective disorder and depression were denied.

The claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD with depression is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the right leg, body pain, depression, and obesity as secondary to a service-connected disability. The claim to reopen for hypertension and back disability was also denied.

The veteran's service-connected anxiety was rated at 50 percent from November 7, 2003, through August 17, 2008, and increased to 70 percent effective August 18, 2008. The veteran has been found unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support higher evaluations or additional service-connected benefits.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded for a VA examination.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence related to the appellant's service connection claim.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date were denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings or an earlier effective date.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Persian Gulf War Syndrome, but increased the rating for dysthymic disorder to 70 percent. The veteran was also granted a 40 percent evaluation for fibromyalgia.

The veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to verified in-service stressors of coming under enemy rocket and mortar attacks while stationed at Phu Bai on August 18, 1970.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for additional development and a re-adjudication of the claims.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disorder, claimed as bleeding gums, was denied because periodontal disease is not a compensable condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection for various conditions, finding no evidence of a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, as there was no credible evidence of such a condition during service or many years after, and no competent or credible evidence linking his current condition to his period of active military service.

The appeal was denied for an increased rating greater than 50 percent for bilateral flat feet with recalcitrant plantar fasciitis and service connection for depression, but the claim for degenerative arthritis and herniated disc of the lumbar spine was reopened.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability as it is not related to the veteran's service or his service-connected low back disability. The Board also denied an increased rating for the veteran's low back disability and an earlier effective date for service connection of depressive disorder.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and residuals of frostbite of the feet have been reopened, but further development is needed to address the underlying merits.