Depression decisions — 2004

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for depression, finding that there is no evidence linking her current condition to her active duty service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for excision of ulcer of the right lower leg with skin grafting. The case is being remanded to further develop evidence before final adjudication.

The veteran's claims for chronic fatigue, depressive disorder, memory loss, and headaches due to an undiagnosed illness have been denied. The claims for a blood disease/mycoplasma infection were also denied.

The veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The issues of increased ratings for major depressive disorder will be reconsidered using both old and new criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD but denied the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The veteran's depression is attributed to his post-service life, not related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected panic disorder with agoraphobia and depression is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including medical records and a psychological examination.

The Board found that the veteran's major depressive disorder, while causing occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, did not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation. The disability was rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VCAA notice and need for clarification regarding stressor events during the first period of service. The claim will be reviewed again after additional development.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for generalized anxiety disorder with depression as secondary to service-connected disabilities of the knees and low back.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his service connection claims due to incomplete service medical records.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected ulcerative colitis and its complications.

The veteran is seeking service connection for depression, claimed as anxiety and depression. He attributes this condition to his active duty service in Vietnam or secondary to his service-connected adult onset diabetes mellitus type 2 and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The Board finds that additional development is necessary due to potential unobtained medical records and a VA examination for mental disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural errors and the need for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the case to consider whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including chronic anxiety, major depression, and dysthymia.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for hepatitis C with depression prior to April 30, 1996 and a rating in excess of 30 percent as of and subsequent to April 30, 1996.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD with secondary bipolar disorder and depression, as well as the issues of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance and TDIU.,No specific rating was assigned in this decision.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability.

The veteran's service-connected major depression is not rated higher than 30 percent prior to September 19, 1999 and does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent since that date.