Depression decisions — 2005

The veteran's PTSD resulted in serious social and occupational impairment, including visual and audio hallucinations. The VA determined that a 50 percent rating was appropriate since March 1, 2003.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to a request for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder and nervous disorder, both claimed as resulting from exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for PTSD was not granted.

The veteran is granted service connection for a mood disorder including depression, anxiety, and mood swings due to an undiagnosed illness. Service connection is denied for chronic fatigue syndrome and weakness, headaches and dizziness, and nausea due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has granted service connection for obsessive-compulsive disorder and denied service connection for post traumatic stress disorder and a low back disability. The veteran's current psychiatric condition is presumed to have been incurred during military service, while his low back disability is not considered service-connected.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, is being remanded due to the need for further development of her medical records and a medical opinion regarding the relationship between her current psychiatric condition and her military service.

The Board found that a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder was not manifested in service, and there is no competent credible evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current psychiatric disorder and his active service or any complaints treated therein. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and delusional behavior, is denied.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the veteran's PTSD is related to his service, including obtaining records and verifying stressor events.

The Board has granted service connection for a major depressive disorder and fibromyalgia as secondary to the veteran's service-connected low-back disorder.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest available evaluation of 50 percent, effective from May 2002. His hypertension and right knee lacerations are not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder is related to her military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder and depression have rendered him unable to work for the last two years, qualifying him for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the veteran's depression was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and is not proximately due to a service-connected disability. The claim for service connection for depression is therefore denied.

The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder and bipolar disorders, were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's depressive disorder was not incurred or aggravated during active service and is not related to any incident of service, including a personal assault. As such, service connection for this condition is denied.

The veteran's initial ratings for irritable bowel syndrome and major depression with panic attacks were denied by the Board. The veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for irritable bowel syndrome and 30 percent for major depression with panic attacks.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for additional evidence.

The veteran's schizophrenia, including depression, is currently evaluated at a 50 percent disability rating. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed as depression, stress reaction, and anxiety. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the veteran for a VA examination.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.