Depression decisions — 2008

The veteran was not entitled to a disability rating higher than 50 percent for his PTSD from January 14, 1992 through August 22, 2000, and he was not entitled to a disability rating higher than 70 percent from August 23, 2000. He also did not meet the criteria for an effective date prior to August 23, 2000 for TDIU.

The Board remands the claim for further development, including verification of chemical exposure and a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a variously diagnosed psychiatric disability, to include major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and PTSD.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension, pes planus, and major depression were denied. The claim to reopen a previously-denied service connection claim for an eye disability was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder, as the medical evidence did not show a diagnosis of PTSD and there was no link between any current psychiatric condition and the veteran's military service.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and further development of the in-service stressor claims.

The veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety is being remanded to further develop evidence regarding the claimed in-service stressors.

The claim for service connection for major depression/PTSD was reopened, but ultimately denied.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, depression, and migraine headaches as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to the veteran's active duty service.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The veteran's depressive disorder with sleep disorder has been found to approximate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a rating of 50 percent.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, is being remanded for additional development of the evidence.

The appeal was partially denied; new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection of flash burns to the eyes was found, but service connection was not granted.

The veteran's claim for service connection for depression, secondary to a service-connected right nephrectomy (kidney removal) for treatment of kidney cancer, requires further development as the current medical evidence is insufficient to determine etiology.

The Board denied service connection for depression, high blood pressure readings, and headaches as the medical evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and the veteran's military service.

The Board granted service connection for depressive disorder, secondary to the veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome and denied service connection for weight loss. The claim for service connection for headaches, hair loss, pain and muscle cramping in the left and right lower extremities, and fatigue was not addressed.

The Board remands the veteran's claim for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the existence and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent for the appellant's depressive disorder, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The veteran was granted an effective date of July 28, 1988 for the award of a 100 percent disability rating for service-connected generalized anxiety disorder.

The Board remands the case to obtain a medical opinion on whether the veteran's depression is proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by service-connected hearing loss and/or tinnitus.