Depression decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted, allowing the veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder to be reopened. The issue will now proceed to a decision on its merits.

The Board found that the veteran's depressive disorder is not related to his service-connected disabilities and denied both claims for service connection and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to verify service periods and obtain VA treatment records, as well as arrange for a psychiatric examination. The veteran is advised that failure to report for the scheduled examination may result in denial of his claim.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder, adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features, and narcissistic personality disorder. The evidence submitted since the last final denial supports reopening of these claims but does not establish a direct link between the conditions and military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations.

The veteran's PTSD with depression is manifested by subjective complaints including chronic sleep disturbance, depression, some suicidal thoughts, anxiety, irritability, and trouble establishing and maintaining relationships. The evidence does not support a higher disability rating as it does not meet the criteria for a 70 percent evaluation due to occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder with chronic paranoid schizophrenia are not service-connected, but the effective date for a total evaluation is set at June 4, 2001.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional service personnel records and for the veteran to undergo a VA psychiatric examination to determine his current psychiatric diagnoses and whether they are related to his period of active service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination. The claims will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and mood disorder. The examiner is to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed in-service stressors and psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetic retinopathy and depressive disorder or dysthymic disorder due to insufficient evidence. The veteran's current psychiatric condition is unclear in relation to his diabetes mellitus, and there is no objective evidence on unemployability.

The Board has granted service connection for Osgood-Schlatter disease, right knee and depression as secondary to the veteran's other conditions. Service connection was denied for degenerative disc disease of the low back, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The evidence does not support a finding that the veteran's depression or any psychiatric disorder is related to service, including his right shoulder injury. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and major depression, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors related to his experiences during service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with depression, and secondary service connection for memory loss and sleep disorder. Service connection for GERD and hypertension is not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Meniere's syndrome, chronic rhinosinusitis/sinusitis, residuals of cold weather trauma, residuals of carbon tetrachloride exposure, and depression. The appeals were based on secondary service connection.

The VA denied the veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD. The evidence did not establish that any current psychiatric condition is related to service.

The veteran's appeal for service connection and pension eligibility was denied. The Board found that the veteran did not meet the basic eligibility requirements for VA improved pension benefits due to his peacetime active service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine if the veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.