Depression decisions — 2007

The VA has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher initial rating than 50 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence suggests a relationship between the veteran's current psychiatric disorders and his military service, but does not conclusively establish this.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic psychiatric disorder during military service and concluded that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and major depression, was not incurred in or aggravated by his period of active duty.

The veteran's claims for service connection and a rating for his hernia are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records, including those from service. A VA examination is also required to determine if his current psychiatric disorder began in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's psychiatric disorder, specifically depression, did not manifest during service or is related to any in-service disease or injury. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD manifested by depression due to a lack of competent evidence of these conditions during or after his active military duty.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a video conference hearing at the RO in Chicago, Illinois.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of sinusitis, an acquired psychiatric disorder (Major Depressive Disorder), or left hand neuropathy. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee, left knee, and depressive disorder disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service.

The Board found no evidence of PTSD or major depression during service, and the veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his military service. The claim for reopening a psychiatric disorder is dismissed as moot.

The veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder have been granted, but do not meet the criteria for a higher initial disability rating.

The VA has granted service connection for major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern and assigned a 30 percent rating, effective July 1, 2003. The veteran's symptoms have been primarily related to depression during the fall and winter seasons.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety did not have their onset during service or for several years thereafter, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to his active duty service and he was granted service connection for this condition. The issue of depression has been remanded due to the need for clarification regarding its diagnosis.

The veteran's claims for service connection for her gynecological disability and depression are being remanded for further development, including VA examinations to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 21, 2003 for a 70 percent evaluation for major depressive disorder.

The veteran's application for Service Disabled Veterans Insurance (RH) was denied because he is not considered to be in 'good health' due to his non-service-connected conditions, including osteoarthritis and hypertension.

The Board is unable to determine if the veteran's depressive disorder and drug addiction are related to his service-connected left shoulder disability.,Service connection for hypertension was denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosis prior to 2002, and no showing of continuity of symptomatology.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a personality disorder and major depressive disorder. The decision found no evidence of such disorders during or within one year after service, nor could they be linked to military service.