Depression decisions — 2006

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine whether new and material evidence was submitted.

The veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent based on more severe symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed stressors and need for further examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Depression, and CFS due to lack of current diagnoses in accordance with DSM-IV criteria. The claim for TDIU is also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a depressive disorder or vertigo that is related to his service-connected right ear hearing loss. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records and VCAA notice.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have a clear diagnosis of PTSD and her depression did not manifest in service or is not related to service. Therefore, service connection for both PTSD and Depression was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records. The veteran's stressor allegations will also be verified, and he will undergo appropriate examinations to determine the nature of his current disabilities.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability due to new and material evidence. The current diagnoses of PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder are considered new and relate to an unestablished fact necessary to establish service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for bilateral pes planus and TDIU based on back and hip disabilities and depression. The veteran was found not to meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus, and it was determined that he did not have sufficient additional disability in other conditions to bring his combined rating to 70 percent or more.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disability (other than PTSD) and sleep disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The veteran was denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete medical records and need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder associated with urethral stricture should be March 14, 2000.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and increased ratings for various back and cervical spine disabilities. The veteran's claims are supported by medical evidence, credible supporting evidence of the stressors, and a history of personal assaults in service.

The Board has granted service connection for major depression and assigned a 10 percent evaluation. The issue of an increased rating for headaches remains pending.

The Board found that the veteran does not have major depression and denied service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depression are being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining medical records from a private physician and providing proper VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are not related to her service, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the claimed conditions and denied all claims.

The Board has granted the veteran's motion to advance his appeal on the docket and determined that service connection is warranted for chondromalacia patella of the left knee. The Board denied service connection for depressive disorder, finding no evidence linking it to service or as secondary to a knee disability.