Depression decisions — 2005

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for major depression and a TDIU rating were denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from Dr. 'R.G.', Social Security Administration, and Office of Personnel Management.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability before the Board could make a decision. The case is being remanded for further development regarding service connection for depression.

The Board has determined that additional development is required to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disability, including PTSD and/or depression. This includes verifying the veteran's claimed stressors in service and obtaining medical records from all providers who have treated her for her psychiatric condition.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development and compliance with notification requirements.

The veteran's depressive disorder is rated at a 30 percent evaluation, the highest under direct service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and depression, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service stressor or other medical condition linking these disabilities to his military service.

The veteran is found to be unemployable due to the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities, including depression and multiple other conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, primarily diagnosed as PTSD and depressive disorder, is reasonably attributable to service due to combat exposure in World War II and Korea.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence of in-service blunt trauma to the head or any service-connected disabilities from which the veteran's claimed conditions may have developed. Therefore, the claims for residuals of blunt head trauma, depression, TMJ, and migraine headaches were denied.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition and declined to reopen the claim. The increased evaluation for postoperative left wrist (minor) fracture with limitation of motion was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, PTSD, and manic depressive disorder. The decision also noted that the veteran did not serve in the Republic of Vietnam, which is a requirement for presumptive exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, right arm impairment, and depression. The claim of service connection for floppy mitral valve syndrome was reopened but not granted. The claim of service connection for left knee disability was not granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The VA examiner did not diagnose PTSD and found no link between the veteran's dysthymic disorder or depression and his military service.

The veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, effective March 10, 2004. The RO also granted a higher evaluation for his service-connected lumbar spine injury, but the decision on this issue remains pending as it was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and failure to obtain Social Security Administration records. The veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current depression is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for depression and an increased rating for right upper extremity weakness due to stroke, finding that there was no evidence of a direct service connection between his conditions and VA treatment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and a peripheral nerve disorder (CTS), all claimed as secondary to her service-connected polycystic ovarian syndrome.

The veteran's appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for depression has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded for issuance of a statement of the case on the issue of an effective date earlier than February 13, 2002 for the assignment of a 100 percent disability rating for prostate cancer.