Depression decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and TDIU, finding that the earliest date of claim was August 13, 1999.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of January 14, 2000 for a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD with depression.

The Board found no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder to include major depressive disorder in service or within one year after service, and no competent medical evidence linking major depressive disorder with her period of service. The veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and was not diagnosed with PTSD based on a verified in-service stressor.

The Board denied service connection for depression, gastroenteritis, and bilateral knee disability. The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for status post excision, endocervical polyp, was not addressed as it is a separate issue.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication, including obtaining VA treatment records and ensuring proper VCAA notice is provided.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and residuals of a right foot injury, finding new and material evidence. The claims are then granted as both conditions are found to be related to service.

The Board found that the veteran does not suffer from PTSD related to his service, and his currently diagnosed dysthymia and depression clearly existed prior to service. The low back disability was also denied as it did not become manifest during or after service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his diabetes mellitus and determine if hypertension and depression are secondary to service-connected diabetes.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of December 18, 2002, for a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD with major depressive disorder. The Board found that it was not factually ascertainable prior to December 18, 2002, that the criteria for a 50 percent rating were met.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and degenerative arthritis, finding that there was no evidence of these conditions during his ACDUTRA service or a nexus to such service.

The Board has ordered additional development to verify the veteran's claimed stressors, including a tank accident and a suicide attempt. The claim for service connection will be reconsidered after this information is obtained.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim. The RO provided VA compensation examination in June 1999 which concluded that the veteran did not serve in combat and found his reported stressors were exaggerated.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examination.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating and an earlier effective date for depression was granted. The current rating of 50% is maintained, but the effective date remains unchanged.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining inpatient treatment records and medical records from the Social Security Administration and VA Medical Center. The veteran will be asked to provide details about a head injury sustained during service and undergo a VA examination if it is determined that such an injury occurred.

The Board denied service connection for depression, scars of the left hand and leg, infertility, and impotency. The veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for chronic depression and memory loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including proper VCAA notice and obtaining relevant medical records.

Since December 15, 2004, the veteran's major depressive disorder has been manifested by low mood with instances of suicidal ideation without intent and intermittent auditory and visual hallucinations. This results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas and an inability to establish effective relationships.

The veteran's major depressive disorder with mood disorder was not productive of suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, or other symptoms that would warrant a higher initial evaluation from July 2, 2001 to March 31, 2004.

The Board has ordered a remand for further development, including obtaining an opinion from the VA psychiatrist regarding whether the veteran's depressive disorder had its onset during service or is related to any in-service disease or injury.