Depression decisions — 2006

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and denied secondary service connection for a depressive disorder as related to the veteran's service-connected duodenal ulcer disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for a medical opinion regarding the veteran's depression claim. The issues of PTSD and hepatitis C are also pending.

The Board finds that the veteran's anxiety and depression are related to service, including his episodes of enuresis shortly after enlistment. Therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disorder characterized as anxiety and depression is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and a rating for depressive disorder, dysthymia, with PTSD, as well as TDIU. The effective date for these benefits was set at April 23, 1993.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional records from the Social Security Administration.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration due to procedural issues, including a need for additional VCAA notice regarding the reopening of the claim for service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied as he does not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability due to his lung condition, which is not considered totally disabling.

The Board found that the veteran's current diagnosis of depression is unrelated to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bipolar disorder is related to her service and grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board finds that the veteran's dysthymic disorder and depression are proximately due to her service-connected low back disability, and grants this claim.

The veteran's claim for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile and necessary adaptive equipment was denied as her service-connected disabilities do not meet the eligibility requirements.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO assigned a non-compensable rating for duodenitis with GERD, granted service connection for neurogenic bladder but not depression.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him housebound or in need of regular aid and attendance, thus denying his claim for special monthly compensation.

The Board found no evidence of a diagnosed bilateral knee condition, back condition or depression during service or within the decades following service. Therefore, the claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed psychiatric, hearing loss, and neurological conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his mental health conditions and employment status.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for reopening his bipolar disorder (claimed as manic depression) should be remanded to allow for further review by a Decision Review Officer or Veterans Service Center Manager.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional development, including verification of stressors leading to PTSD and clarification on the relationship between his diabetes mellitus and diverticulitis.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disorder is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or secondary service connection.