Depression decisions — 2006

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and that his major depression was not related to his military service.

The Board has denied all the veteran's claims for service connection as his claimed conditions are not related to his active military service or events therein, and none of them have been shown to be due to an undiagnosed illness.

The veteran's death was not service-connected, but he had a total disability rating for over five years prior to his death. The claim is denied as the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 are not met.

The veteran seeks service connection for depression. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development and notification.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disability, diagnosed as schizophrenia with paranoid features, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, is not related to his active service or any incident therein.

The veteran seeks service connection for various conditions, but her service has not been verified and additional records are needed. The case is remanded to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was aggravated during service, and therefore service connection is granted for this condition. The issue of an initial disability evaluation in excess of 50 percent for generalized anxiety disorder with depression remains pending.

The Board found that the veteran's current PTSD with depression is not due to a verified in-service stressor and denied service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, and lumbosacral strain. The conditions are rated based on their impact on occupational and social functioning.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on credible evidence of exposure to combat-related stressors. The depression claim remains pending as an unprocessed NOD was received.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and depression, and denied an increased rating for the veteran's meniscus tear of the left knee. The veteran was not granted any new ratings or benefits.

The Board has determined that a comprehensive psychiatric examination is necessary to decide the veteran's claims for PTSD and major depressive disorder. The RO must also obtain any VA treatment records for those disorders not already associated with the claims file, as well as any relevant military records from Bosnia and Haiti.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and potential interrelated claims.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues except asbestosis. The Board dismissed the appeal due to withdrawal.

The Board found that the appellant does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression and/or anxiety, that is attributable to military service. The appellant's diagnosed depression constitutes a secondary disability resulting from primary alcohol and drug abuse.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, and nervousness.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability was denied because she failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The veteran's VA hospitalization from March 17, 1999 to April 13, 1999 was for treatment of his service-connected psychiatric disabilities of Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depressive Disorder. The claim is granted as the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether this hospitalization qualifies for a temporary total evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for major depression and generalized anxiety disorder is granted, with the effective date set at September 21, 1999.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to service.