Depression decisions — 2005

The veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation for his depression was granted, with an effective date of February 1, 2002.,His right knee disability claim was also granted, with an initial rating of 30 percent.

The veteran's service-connected major depression and bipolar disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood prior to March 23, 2000. Since March 23, 2000, the disability has caused reduced reliability and productivity.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to November 9, 2000 and increased to 70 percent since that date.,An effective date of April 5, 2001 for the 70 percent evaluation is granted.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case will be dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, finding that the evidence did not establish a link between current symptoms and an in-service stressor.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, finding that the veteran's accounts of stressors are consistent with the medical record and that it is at least as likely as not (50% likelihood) that his depression was incurred in or aggravated by his active service.

The Board found no evidence of a psychiatric disability in service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the appellant's current major depression and panic disorder are related to his active military service, warranting service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of a hip injury caused or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran did not file a formal or informal claim for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder prior to April 8, 2002. Therefore, an effective date earlier than April 8, 2002 is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding whether the veteran's current major depressive disorder is related to his service, including any alleged mistreatment while in service.

The Board is remanding the claims for a reopened claim of service connection for major depressive disorder as secondary to migraine headaches, an increased rating for migraine headaches, and an increased rating for residuals of cold injury to both feet. The RO must provide proper VCAA notice and obtain all relevant records.

The VA has determined that the veteran's post traumatic stress disorder results in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's psychiatric disorder was related to his morbid obesity and service connection. The issue of accrued benefits is also inextricably intertwined with the cause of death claim.

The veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and major depressive disorder were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of current disability or causation.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to new information and evidence, including a need for updated VA treatment records and additional examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including headaches, seizure disorder, memory loss, attention deficit, and depression, are not related to his service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder, depression, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The VA has determined that the veteran's major depression with psychotic features, primarily manifested by low energy and occasional hallucinations, warrants a 50 percent disability rating. This is below the required 70 or 100 percent ratings for more severe impairment.