Depression decisions — 2006

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to unclear opinions regarding service connection for depression.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for depression as secondary to his service-connected back disorders and for an increased rating for his low back disability due to potential new evidence of worsening.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional evidence and provide proper notice regarding the reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection for passive-dependent personality disorder, depression, stress, and anxiety.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for PTSD with recurrent depression and a TDIU during the period from April 17, 2002 to April 17, 2003. The evidence showed moderate social and occupational impairment due to PTSD but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed stressors occurred during his military service.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking the veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or depression to his service-connected conditions or to exposure to herbicides. As such, the claims for secondary service connection are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and depression, but granted her claim for muscle tension headaches as secondary to her service-connected chronic cervical strain.

The veteran does not have a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and clinical depression, that was caused or aggravated by his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his claims. The RO will schedule a hearing, issue statements of the case on certain issues, and return the case to the Board after these actions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for depression and dental trauma are being remanded due to the unavailability of his service medical records. Additional information is needed regarding his treatment in 1970, 1973, and the 1980s for drug addiction, as well as post-service treatment for dental trauma.

The Board has determined that there are procedural deficiencies and the veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and other issues need to be remanded for further action.

The veteran's claim for service connection for depression, claimed as secondary to a bilateral knee disability is being remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice and the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder impingement, right anterior cruciate ligament deficient knee, status-post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction left knee, and left ear hearing loss. The claim of service connection for depression was withdrawn by the veteran prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depressive disorder, are not service-connected but have been caused by negligence on the part of VA caregivers during surgical treatment for his nonservice-connected facial palsy. The veteran is granted compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, were not incurred or aggravated during service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder have been evaluated at a 30 percent rating since June 15, 2002. The symptoms described do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have an acquired psychiatric disorder, including an adjustment disorder with a depressed mood and a depressive disorder. Therefore, service connection for such disorders was denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities (hypertension and depressive disorder secondary to medication) are not shown to be of such nature and severity as to preclude her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board found no evidence of a current psychiatric disability, head injury, or hearing loss related to military service. The veteran's claims for these conditions were denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's anxiety disorder was not incurred or aggravated by service.