Depression decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and PTSD (claimed as depression/anxiety) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to diabetes mellitus, and depressive disorder. The claim for low back disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for ataxia, chorea's disease, spinocerebellar atrophy, depression and nightmares allegedly caused by VA medication during a February 1998 hospitalization for partial seizures.

The veteran's tinnitus claim is denied, but he is granted service connection for a psychiatric disability (anxiety state with depression) due to the presumption of service connection based on his status as a POW.

The Board found no clear medical opinion linking the veteran's current psychiatric problems to his service, specifically the removal of his teeth in service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and issuing a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) citing to 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f). The veteran's claim is pending as both service connection and reopening of PTSD claims are at issue.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of all evidence, including new evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's psychiatric disability, primarily depression, is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypothyroidism and depression, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between her current conditions and her military service or within one year of discharge.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected depressive disorder warrants a 50 percent rating, effective from March 14, 2000.

The Board granted an initial rating of 50 percent for the veteran's service-connected mood disorder with depression, effective January 23, 2006.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder with psychotic features is not related to his active service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for VA pension purposes.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected scar of the right foot was denied as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.,The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected depressive disorder prior to April 12, 2005 and in excess of 50 percent from that date was also denied.

The veteran's request for service connection for PTSD and depression is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for VA treatment of decubitus ulcer with residuals is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the veteran with a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed diabetes and major depression are not related to his active service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Board has ordered additional development to address the reduction of the veteran's disability rating for prostate cancer and his claim for service connection for a depressive disorder as secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder warrants a 70 percent evaluation, and his TDIU claim is granted.