Depression decisions — 2007

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The VA examiner found that the veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD based on verified in-service stressors and diagnosed him with PTSD. The VA examiner also determined that the veteran's DM is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD or depression related to his military service and denied all claims of service connection. The hearing loss claim is pending as there are conflicting audiometric test results.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of evidence, including a PTSD-personal assault development letter and VA treatment records. The issue of service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD will be held in abeyance.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that the veteran's diagnoses were not based on corroborated non-combat in-service stressors.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have depression that is related to her military service and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder, residuals of a head injury, and COPD including as due to asbestos exposure. The VA examiners found no direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's PTSD with depression and substance abuse was granted a disability evaluation of 70 percent, effective July 17, 1991, to March 30, 1993. The claim for TDIU prior to April 30, 1994, is dismissed as moot.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing at the Muskogee RO. The issue of increased rating for major depressive disorder remains unresolved.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for further development of the claim, including obtaining additional VA and private treatment records.

The Board found that the veteran did not incur residuals of a claimed head injury, including disabilities of the cervical spine and lumbar spine in service or within the first post-service year. The psychiatric disorder was also not incurred in service and is not proximately due to or the result of a disability incurred in service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for depression and PTSD are being remanded to the RO for additional development of his medical records.

The veteran's claim for service connection for depression, as secondary to a service-connected disability, was denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current depression to service or any service-connected condition. Additionally, the veteran's TDIU claim was also denied due to his inability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment despite having one service-connected disability rated at 10%.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status was denied because the evidence did not show she required such assistance due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the veteran's current psychiatric disorders and his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability, specifically depression, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to the veteran's military service.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed in-service stressor did not occur, and thus service connection for PTSD could not be granted. The issue of major depressive disorder was remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's mood disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to a service-connected disability, specifically tinnitus.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD, along with other conditions like opioid dependence and major depressive disorder, resulted in significant occupational and social impairment warranting a higher evaluation of 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder is service-connected, but his post-traumatic stress disorder claim was denied as he did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.