Depression decisions — 2004

The veteran was granted a 100% rating for major depressive disorder and dysthymia effective April 9, 2001. The claim for TDIU prior to this date is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for major depression, finding that the veteran's current psychiatric disability is related to his active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and depression, finding no evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The veteran's service-connected major depression is rated at 50 percent effective December 1, 1996. Temporary total ratings for hospitalization periods have been granted.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current major depression to his service, including an alleged head injury. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for minor degenerative disc disease and depression due to incomplete development of the record.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and secondary service connection for depression, finding that there was no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for multiple arthralgias, a neuropsychiatric disorder, and chronic bronchitis. The RO decisions denying these claims are final.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no verified stressor and thus no current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's daughter, CLC, is permanently incapable of self-support due to mental or physical defects prior to her 18th birthday and grants recognition as a helpless child for VA benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The RO is instructed to obtain additional medical records and verify any stressors associated with service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim. The appeal was dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for initial consideration of additional evidence, including Social Security Administration records and an independent medical evaluation. The claims will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD with a major depressive disorder from December 15, 1999 to July 1, 2001.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and service personnel records. The veteran's claim will be reviewed again to determine if her major depression is related to her military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide addendum VA medical opinions. The claims for increased rating of depression, service connection for tinnitus, and service connection for a low back disability are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidence and procedural issues, including a need for VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current arthritic changes in his left knee are due to an increase in severity of a pre-existing condition during service, and thus service connection is granted for this disability at a 20 percent level.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a neuropsychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and for depression. The evidence did not support the occurrence of the claimed stressors.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining more recent VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.