Depression Board decisions

The Board has granted an effective date of January 16, 2007 for the award of a 30 percent rating for depression.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to lack of evidence showing that his injuries were caused by VA care, treatment or examination.

The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The appellant is also asked to provide more detailed information about alleged in-service events that may have contributed to his current conditions.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of March 31, 2004 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus. The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders is remanded for further development.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected closed head injury disability with mild cognitive disorder and depression. For the period from August 27, 2001 to January 13, 2002, the disability was rated at 10 percent. On and after January 14, 2002, it was rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of a neck injury incurred in service and denied his claim for this condition. The issue of service connection for psychiatric disability is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy (claimed as a visual disability), erectile dysfunction, and hypertension. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) remains pending.

The Board found no evidence of a current psychiatric disability and concluded that any depression or anxiety the veteran currently experiences is not related to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to care for his daily personal needs without assistance from others, or unable to protect himself from the hazards and dangers of his daily environment on a regular basis. The Board denied both claims due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a depressive disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic psychiatric disability in service or within one year following discharge. The examiner opined that the current depressive disorder was not related to military service.

The Board has decided that the veteran's depression may be related to his service-connected tinnitus, and a remand is ordered for further examination and development.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder related to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 70 percent disabling, reflecting severe social and occupational impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for a major depressive disorder, finding that it is related to the veteran's service-connected disabilities. The claim for left knee disability remains pending as there are no current medical findings of a specific left knee disability.

The Board has granted a rating of 100 percent for the veteran's service-connected depressive reaction, finding that it effectively results in total social and occupational impairment. The initial rating for diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The VA denied a higher initial evaluation for PTSD with depression, currently rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and will consider service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The issue of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is deferred pending further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left upper extremity ulnar neuropathy, special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate, and an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for hepatitis C associated with glomerulonephritis with nephrotic syndrome, hypertension, and heart disease. The Board found that there was no evidence to support service connection due to lack of a direct link between the veteran's active duty service or his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's depressive disorder was not incurred during service and is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected post concussion migraine headaches.