Depression decisions — 2005

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and finds that new and material evidence has been submitted. The veteran's PTSD is related to his active military service, and he remains employed, so pension benefits are denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need to obtain SSA records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's depressive disorder is related to his service, including the in-service esophageal perforation and subsequent surgical complications. As a result, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is granted.

The Board denied service connection for insomnia, fatigue, and memory loss as these conditions are not related to exposure to herbicides or undiagnosed illnesses in service.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for scars, traumatic, left thigh and right leg. The claim of service connection for atypical anxiety disorder with depression was reopened based on new evidence, but the claim remains denied as there is no presumption or direct link to service. Service connection for seizure disorder was also granted.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for a more contemporaneous VA examination to determine the severity of his service-connected residuals of spinal meningitis with conversion features, and for readjudication of his claim.

The Board granted service connection for depression with anxiety and TDIU, effective from the date of receipt of the claim in July 1999. The veteran's claims were reopened based on new evidence received after his original claims.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his upper extremity and wrist disorders, render him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance are being remanded due to the need for additional VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have character disorder, mixed personality disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, or major depression. The claims for service connection are denied as secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and any additional evidence from the veteran's mother.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current schizophrenia is a result of pre-existing conditions aggravated by his time in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a nervous disorder, including diagnoses of PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. The new evidence submitted did not meet the criteria for reopening the claim.

The Board found no evidence of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder related to service, and thus denied the veteran's claim.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, OBS, and depression effective prior to June 28, 1996.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disability warrants a rating of 50 percent since April 7, 2004. The veteran's major depression is rated at 70 percent effective August 15, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The decision also denied service connection for alcohol dependence and tobacco use disorder as a matter of law.

The veteran's service-connected major depression is now rated at the maximum allowable (100%), due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and an acquired psychiatric disability (depression) as there was no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year post-service, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for higher ratings for depression and cervical spine arthritis, as well as her service connection claims for a right shoulder disorder, scoliosis with left leg length discrepancy, and fibrocystic breast disease.