Depression decisions — 2008

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and arranging for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the extent of the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board has granted an increased disability rating of 50 percent for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, effective as of the date of the decision.

The Board has denied the reopening of claims for service connection for depression, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, including exposure to herbicides. The evidence submitted does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has determined that the November 2000 rating decision assigning a 30 percent disability rating for service-connected depression neurosis did not contain clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board denied the veteran's service connection claims for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, and a psychosis claimed as schizophrenic effects.

The Board found that the veteran's depression is unrelated to his service-connected sick sinus syndrome, and denied both claims for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and dissociative identity disorder, finding that these conditions first became manifest during the veteran's active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's schizophrenia and depression were incurred in service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected recurrent major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder warrant a 50 percent evaluation, but not higher. The disability is currently rated under Diagnostic Code 9434.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current right wrist disorder or left ankle disorder related to service. The veteran's depression claim will be addressed in the REMAND portion.

The veteran's major depressive disorder is currently evaluated at a 10 percent rating, and the evidence does not support an increase in this evaluation.

The Board found no credible evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder during service or for many years after, and no competent or credible evidence linking the veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders to his military service.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete service medical records and missing Social Security Administration records. The veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and heart condition will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Board found that her current psychiatric disorders are not related to service or a superimposed disability during service.

The Board denied service connection for depression, finding that the disorder first manifested in August 2000 and was not related to any aspect of service including radiation exposure.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and initial evaluations for depressive disorder and gastroesophageal reflux disease, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service or service-connected back disability.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if major depressive disorder is related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's depression and left lower extremity radiculopathy are secondary to his service-connected low back disability. However, there is no evidence of a genitourinary disability related to service or service-connected conditions.