Depression decisions — 2010

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, and the claim for an earlier effective date has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied. His claim for an increased evaluation for major depression between June 10, 2005 and March 25, 2007; an evaluation in excess of 50 percent between March 26, 2007 and April 27, 2009; and an evaluation in excess of 30 percent from April 28, 2009 forward was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left and right hip disabilities. The Veteran is also entitled to a 20 percent disability rating for his lumbar strain myositis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence of record to decide whether the Veteran's currently diagnosed psychiatric disorders first manifested in service and are causally related to events during service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder did not cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to February 10, 2005. Therefore, the claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the spine, loss of teeth, functional bowel syndrome, hearing loss, sinus problems, vision problems, and depression and a personality disorder, all allegedly due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The RO found no new and material evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional evidence and providing a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric diagnoses.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, diabetes mellitus, and low back disability were denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all due to the 'unknown' status of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected heart condition effectively prevents him from ambulating without the aid of a wheelchair, which constitutes loss of use of both feet. Therefore, he is entitled to financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied by the Board, as the disability level did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation on account of being in need for aid and attendance of another person due to loss of use of both lower extremities, including the service-connected fractured left femoral neck (hip) and a non-service-connected condition resulting in loss of use of one foot.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder, psychiatric condition, COPD, pleurisy of the right lung, and motor depression are all denied as they are not shown to be related to his military service or service-connected residuals of spontaneous pneumothorax.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety and depression has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, primarily depression and anxiety, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The preponderance of evidence showed no connection between his current symptoms and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates were denied as the law is dispositive and there can be no earlier effective date than the day following his separation from active duty, April 18, 1964. The Veteran's claim for depression was granted with an evaluation of 30 percent effective February 20, 2003.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected PTSD and depression to determine the appropriate disability rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, migraine headaches, and a nervous condition with depression and memory loss. The evidence received since the January 2002 rating decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for Migraine Headaches and a Nervous Condition with Depression and Memory Loss remains denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for major depression, eczema, and fibromyalgia as they were not related to his military service or due to undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a higher rating for his left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and analysis.