Depression decisions — 2007

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disability, diagnosed as depression and anxiety, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board concluded that there is no true indication of a connection between the veteran's current condition and her period of military service.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 20, 1991 for the grant of service connection for depressive disorder with panic features.

The Board has granted the veteran's motion to advance on the docket and is now addressing his claims of service connection for chronic depression, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder. The issues have been reopened due to new and material evidence received since the last denial in October 2002.

The Board has granted service connection for major depression, finding that the veteran's current condition is a continuation of his problems from many years prior to service. Service connection for a skin disability was denied.

The veteran's claims for PTSD and depression are being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support the requested increases or connections.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining authorization for any outstanding VA or private treatment records and scheduling the veteran for appropriate VA examinations.

The veteran's depression, degenerative joint disease of both thumbs, and tendonitis of both thumbs are found to be service-connected. The residuals of inguinal hernia repair are also found to be service-connected.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of VA outpatient records.

The Board has granted service connection for depression as secondary to the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his knee and hypertension conditions. The rating for post-operative residuals of a meniscectomy of the left knee is increased to 10 percent, and the rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee remains at noncompensable.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, is not related to his military service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for scoliosis of the thoracic spine, a lumbar spine disability with left lower extremity radiculopathy, squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth, and a psychiatric disorder to include anxiety, depression, and manic depression.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities are so disabling as to prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus granting a TDIU rating.

The Board denied service connection for major depressive disorder and did not reopen the claim of diabetes mellitus due to lack of new and material evidence.

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

The veteran seeks service connection for hearing loss and various other conditions. The RO has remanded the case to obtain additional records and conduct examinations.,The veteran claims service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the hands, ankles, shoulders, and back, which he attributes to in-service exposure to humidity in Vietnam. He also seeks service connection for a psychiatric disability (likely depression) and benign prostatic hypertrophy due to herbicide exposure during service.,The veteran asserts that his current psychiatric condition is related to an in-service diagnosis of depression. The RO has requested clarification on whether the veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD, which would require further development.,The veteran claims service connection for myocardial infarctions and coronary artery disease, with a suggestion that these conditions may be secondary to his psychiatric disability. He also seeks service connection for benign prostatic hypertrophy due to herbicide exposure during service.,The veteran asserts that he was exposed to noise while serving as a policeman in the Air Force, which could potentially relate to his current hearing loss.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression was denied as there was no credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors, and the record did not establish a current psychiatric disorder began during service.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression) and a seizure disorder, both of which are found to be related to service. Service connection was denied for a kidney disorder.,The veteran's psoriasis is rated at the maximum schedular evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected conditions, including chronic prostatitis, rectus sheath hernia, and adjustment disorder with mixed features and depression. The veteran was not granted a higher rating than what he currently receives.

The veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.