Depression decisions — 2005

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for a depressive disorder, finding that it is presumed to have existed before service and not worsened by service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for depression, but the RO has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate his claim.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the RO before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current lung disorder, a mild restrictive ventilatory defect, can be considered to have been incurred or aggravated in active service and is granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed multiple sclerosis and major depression were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor can they be presumed to have been incurred in service. The veteran's symptoms of multiple sclerosis did not manifest within seven years after separation from service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim and determined that her current psychiatric disability, Major Depressive Disorder, is related to service. Service connection for this condition is now granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the schedular requirements for assignment of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including anxiety with depression. The evidence submitted since the January 1998 rating decision does not provide a sufficient basis to reopen the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining information about an alleged assault during service and providing appropriate VA examinations to determine if any current diagnoses are related to service.

The Board found that a rating in excess of 30 percent for anxiety prior to January 19, 2000 is not warranted and denied the claim. The veteran's current anxiety disability is currently rated at 50 percent.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have PTSD or Depression related to service and denied both claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural and developmental matters, including clarification of representation, obtaining medical records, and issuance of a supplemental statement of the case for his claim of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected major depression does not warrant a rating higher than 50 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 70 percent evaluation or higher.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD and denied his claim for service connection. The issue of service connection for a psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), to include depression and nerves, is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the date of onset and relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic dementia with depressive disorder does not warrant a higher disability rating, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 9411. The other issues were also denied.

The veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need to consider additional evidence, including a letter from his wife and statements from his VA psychiatrist. The RO must review the issue on appeal, taking into consideration this new evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including Panic Disorder with Major Depression and Bipolar Disorder, are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's cervical spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor is it proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability. The veteran's depression secondary to painful feet, right shoulder, and neck was denied as well.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and a psychiatric disorder (major depression) as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service, and the current disabilities are not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder with alcoholism, as well as residuals of a left ankle sprain and cornea abrasion of the right eye. The veteran's current diagnoses were not related to his active service.