Depression decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and for an increased rating for low back pain as the residual of a back injury. The evidence submitted since the 1976 decision did not meet the criteria to reopen the claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, impotence, and depression have been denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete verification of her periods of active duty for training and inactive duty for training. Additional VA examinations will be scheduled to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for depression and anxiety. The veteran's current diagnoses of major depressive disorder and anxiety were determined not to be related to his military service or any incident therein.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable due to their combined effect, as they allow for some form of substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disability, and right shoulder disability. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of depression and therefore, service connection for depression is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, arranging for a neurologic and psychiatric examination, and ensuring that all relevant evidence is considered.

The Board finds that the evidence of record is sufficient to warrant an increased rating of 50 percent for the service-connected depression. However, in light of recent evidence submitted by the veteran, the issue of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 50 percent must be REMANDED to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC), in Washington, DC.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied.,The Board found that the evidence did not show a factually ascertainable increase in disability prior to May 10, 1999.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder was aggravated by his service, and he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities. His current combined disability evaluation of 80% renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the veteran's depression was not caused by her service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining in-service psychiatric treatment records and VA medical records. The appellant's claim will be reconsidered based on all submitted evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for depression, breathing problems (including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and rhinitis), erectile dysfunction, neck disability, sleep apnea, and increased rating for chronic back strain. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen previously denied claims.

The Board found that the veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, was denied due to lack of evidence supporting the occurrence of the alleged stressors. The veteran's statements regarding physical assault and racism were not corroborated by other evidence in the record.

The VA denied a higher disability rating for the veteran's service-connected depressive disorder, which is currently rated at 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's depression, while producing significant impairment in social and occupational functioning, does not warrant a schedular evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new documents.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to decide the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including paranoid schizophrenia, dementia, and depression.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disorder and left hip disorder were denied. The claim for tinnitus was also denied.,The veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, left knee disorder, neck/cervical spine disorder, and right shoulder disorder were all denied. However, the veteran's claims for depression and PTSD have been reopened and granted.,The veteran's right shoulder disorder claim has been reopened but not granted. The veteran's depression claim has also been reopened but not granted. The veteran's PTSD claim has been reopened and granted.