Depression decisions — 2006

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing the veteran with VCAA notice. The case will be reviewed again after these steps are completed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disability, bilateral hip disability, and depressive disorder. The decision found that new evidence did not establish a plausible relationship between these conditions and service or any service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's PTSD with major depression is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher evaluation (100 percent) is not warranted.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD, finding that the veteran's symptoms meet the criteria for such a rating due to deficiencies in most areas including work and social relationships.

The Board found that the veteran's depression and bipolar disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including depression and bipolar disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The pre-existing condition of a psychiatric disorder was noted prior to her entry into service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed mental disorders, including PTSD and depression, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of an in-service stressor for PTSD, nor is there any medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the veteran's service dates and obtain his military records, as well as to confirm or refute any administrative discharge due to mental health issues. The VA will also need to review the claims file for a comprehensive psychiatric examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Depressive Disorder, finding that there was no verified stressor for PTSD and insufficient evidence linking the current depressive disorder to service.

The Board found that the veteran's current diagnoses of depression and anti-social personality traits were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a comprehensive VA psychiatric examination and determining the identity of any verified stressor events in service.

The veteran's service-connected major depression with psychotic features has rendered him unable to obtain or retain employment since June 10, 1992. The Board grants a 100 percent disability rating for this condition effective from that date.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death was not related to any service-connected disability, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death. The DIC claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is also denied.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with major depression, finding that the veteran's symptoms are primarily manifested by anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and sleep impairment without near continuous panic or depression affecting his ability to function independently.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically post-operative residuals of lumbar spine herniated nucleus pulposus and depressive disorder NOS, preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The veteran is also entitled to a temporary total evaluation beyond December 31, 2002 for his service-connected lumbar disability.

The veteran's claim for non-service-connected disability pension was denied as he did not meet the criteria of permanent and total disability due to non-service-connected disabilities, with his PTSD being ruled out. The Board found that other psychiatric conditions may contribute to his inability to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's case is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his left knee disability and depression. The RO will also address the issue of service connection for depression as secondary to the service connected low back disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of depression, and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, attributable to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and depression, were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.