Depression decisions — 2006

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have a diagnosis of PTSD and therefore denied service connection for this condition.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on his symptoms.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for major depression, increased evaluations for bladder disorder and lumbar spine disability, and a compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids. The veteran's heart disorder claim was not addressed due to its separate status.

The Board found that the veteran's low back, bilateral hip, left knee, and bilateral foot disabilities are not related to his service-connected right knee disability. The psychiatric disability (Major Depression) is considered a separate issue from the service-connected right knee disability. Service connection for fibromyalgia was also denied.

The veteran's current depressive disorder can be attributed to his period of active military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling VA examinations to determine if the veteran's current depression and low back pain are related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression and anxiety, finding that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and Depression, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include major depression with psychotic features (claimed as post-traumatic stress disorder) and for post-traumatic stress disorder due to a car accident in service, finding that there is no evidence supporting these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depression was not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder, are related to service. This includes seeking evidence of a personal assault during service.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for depression. The veteran's service records did not show an acquired psychiatric disorder in service, and his post-service depression was related to marital problems.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of a head injury, seizures, depression, or headaches as a result of his service. Therefore, these claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional examinations. The issues of service connection for hypertension, gouty arthritis as secondary to hypertension, increased rating for headaches, and depression as secondary to service-connected residuals of a head injury are inextricably intertwined.

The veteran's claims for service connection, TDIU, and nonservice-connected pension are being remanded due to incomplete development of her active duty status.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and depression, and for Eustachian tube dysfunction of the left ear. The decision also noted that new and material evidence is needed to reopen the claim for Eustachian tube dysfunction.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for depression, finding no current diagnosis and noting that any depressive symptoms were not related to his service-connected prostate cancer.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The RO found no evidence of the claimed conditions during or within one year after his periods of active duty, and there was no medical opinion linking any current disabilities to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's anxiety and depression are likely due to events during his military service, including harsh treatment from a supervisor. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations have been granted. Service connection was established for post-traumatic pain in the right knee, with a 10% evaluation effective June 2, 1992. Increased evaluations were granted for degenerative joint disease of the right knee (post-traumatic pain) and status post surgery, right shoulder (residual painful range of motion).