Depression decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and GERD. The Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of depression, and his GERD was not shown to be related to his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for an additional examination to determine the etiology of his diagnosed psychiatric conditions and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder and recurrent major depression were found to be disabling enough for a 100% evaluation, effective prior to January 31, 2000. The claimant was granted accrued benefits based on the Veteran's disability.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder for which service connection may be granted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for his mental disability, including major depressive disorder and mood disorder secondary to service-connected prostate cancer, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation higher than 70 percent for a mood disorder due to traumatic brain injury, with major depressive-like episode from June 29, 2005 to May 21, 2007 was denied. The effective dates for service connection and TDIU were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and exposures, with the majority of issues seeking service connection for various health problems. The Board has determined that a hearing is needed to address these claims.

The Veteran's depression is found to be aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, and thus he is granted service connection for depression as secondary to this disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is REMANDED for additional development.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his psychiatric disabilities. The case will be readjudicated based on all diagnosed conditions and the revisions in 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f).

The Board finds that the Veteran's psychiatric symptoms, including anxiety and depression, are related to his military service and grants service connection for a psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for a right foot disorder, an anxiety disorder as secondary to the right foot disorder, and a depressive disorder as secondary to the right foot disorder. The low back disorder is now being addressed due to its relation to the right foot disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects the severity of his symptoms and impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The Veteran's chronic psychiatric disorder, including his current diagnoses of schizoaffective disorder and depression, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board found that the current disorders are not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the need for additional evidence and consideration of service connection claims, including those related to headaches and a head laceration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, a sleep condition, PTSD, major depressive disorder, headaches, and right CTS secondary to left CTS. The decision also addressed an increased rating claim for left wrist tendonitis/CTS.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been granted a 30 percent evaluation since January 17, 1992. The evidence shows that the condition produced definite industrial impairment prior to August 11, 2003, and severe impairment of his ability to establish and maintain effective relationships starting from that date.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to assess the current level of disability due to service-connected depression. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also raised by the record.