Depression decisions — 2005

The Board found that there was no claim pending at the time of the veteran's death, nor were benefits payable under an existing decision. Therefore, the appellant is not entitled to payment of his father's accrued benefits for the month of August 2001.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for her PTSD with major depression and hypoactive sexual desire disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including providing a VCAA letter and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for major depressive disorder is being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including VA examinations to determine the etiology of the veteran's claimed conditions and whether they are related to service.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a combined rating of at least 60 percent, which is required to establish entitlement to non-service-connected pension benefits.

The Board finds that the veteran's recurrent major depression is due to disease that was incurred in active service and grants service connection for this condition. However, there is insufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD and thus denies service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for depression and postoperative residuals of suprasellar tumor. The original denial was based on a finding that these conditions pre-existed service.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death due to new and material evidence submitted. The veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, is found to have contributed substantially or materially to his fatal stroke.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, were not incurred during her periods of active military service.

The Board denied reopening of claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to incomplete records and unsuccessful attempts to obtain medical records from various VA facilities. The case will be readjudicated after these efforts.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any pre-existing psychiatric disorder worsened during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, depression, a cervical spine disorder, and urinary incontinence and gross hematuria as secondary to his service-connected lumbar strain.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for depression, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision on hearing loss will be deferred until further development is completed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder, disorganized type schizophrenia, neurotic depression and PTSD, was first manifested during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing notice to the appellant.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of epilepsy or major depression, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD, along with his major depression and generalized anxiety disorder, results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The criteria for a 50% rating have been met.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD and was diagnosed with depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. The claim for service connection for these psychiatric disorders is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability resulting from active duty.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the October 1994 rating decision that denied an increase in a 30 percent rating for PTSD with major depression. The veteran's inability to work was attributed to non-service-connected conditions, such as left-sided paralysis.