Depression decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, recurrent major depressive disorder, and dysthymia, are related to her experiences during service. The appeal is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining evidence to corroborate the veteran's claimed stressors in service and scheduling a comprehensive psychiatric examination. The claim for PTSD will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence obtained, and the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the depression claim will also be addressed.

The veteran's Crohn's disease is rated at 30 percent, and his major depressive disorder is not entitled to a higher initial evaluation.

The Board granted service connection for depression and headaches, with a 30 percent evaluation. The decision also addressed the veteran's claim for separate evaluations of his depression and headaches.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound was denied as she does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board has granted service connection for depression as secondary to the veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically his chondromalacia of the right knee and cervical spine strain.

The Board found no evidence of a current psychiatric disorder in service or within one year after separation, and there was no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current condition to his period of active service. The appeal is denied.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise, and concludes that the veteran's major depressive disorder may be secondary to her service-connected migraine headaches.

The Board finds that the veteran's depression was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have chronic conditions such as depression and anxiety, bursitis of the right wrist, pelvic inflammatory disease, a right knee disability, or chronic headaches secondary to asthma that are residuals of a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for major depression. The medical opinions provided suggest a link between the veteran's service-connected meningitis and his current major depression.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing before the Board.

The Board found that the veteran's depression was not present in service or within one year following service discharge, and is not otherwise causally related to any incident of service or etiologically related to his service-connected thoracotomy residuals.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and issues related to service connection for the cause of death.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his VA employee personnel file and clarifying whether he wishes to claim service connection for PTSD. The RO/AMC will also make arrangements for the veteran to be examined by an examiner to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any manifested neuropsychiatric disability.

The veteran has been granted service connection for depression, with the Board finding that some portion of his dysthymia is traceable to his time in military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current low back or right hip disabilities, and his depression is not service-connected. The claims for secondary service connection are therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and a need for further examination regarding the veteran's claimed PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private mental health treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric impairment, including depression, is related to service.