Depression decisions — 2007

The Board has granted service connection for depression, which is secondary to the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has denied the claim of service connection for major affective illness, recurrent depression, heel spurs, and right leg pain due to a character of discharge under conditions other than honorable.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The issue of whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen his HIV claim was also addressed but not decided.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to incomplete records and further examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining treatment records and arranging a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA psychiatric examination and consideration of his current symptomatology.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, insomnia, and depression is being remanded due to the need for additional information regarding stressors and further medical examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a low back disability, neck and shoulder disabilities, anxiety and depression, sexual dysfunction, or sinus headaches related to his military service.

The veteran's bilateral foot disorder, including hallux valgus, pes planus, and plantar fasciitis, is attributable to a period of active service. The acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder with anxiety and panic attacks, was not manifest in service and is not attributable to service. Bilateral tinnitus is assigned a 10 percent rating.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 30 percent and 50 percent for bipolar disorder with depression prior to September 23, 2004. The evaluation was set at 30 percent since July 3, 2003.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including prostate disorder, acquired psychiatric disorders (PTSD, depression, anxiety, OCD), gastrointestinal disorder, hypertension, skin condition, and hearing loss disability have all been denied. The veteran requested withdrawal of the claim for prostate disorder.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current conditions and military service. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board found that the veteran's current depressive disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's left hip fracture and depression were not compensable under Section 1151 of Title 38, United States Code due to lack of fault on VA's part in providing treatment.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) related to service, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and major depressive disorder, and for hypertension, to include as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as his claim was received on August 28, 2002.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent, effective June 2002. His claim for TDIU is moot due to the grant of a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Anxiety Disorder, Residuals of Right Knee Injury, and Migraine Headaches have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn these claims.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 13, 1998 for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder based on new and material evidence.