Depression decisions — 2008

The veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board has determined that additional evidence and a VA examination are needed to determine the existence of any current psychiatric disorders and their relationship to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating and effective date for his service-connected depressive disorder, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board found that the veteran does not have residuals of a stroke related to military service and denied her claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder. The evidence showed current symptoms consistent with major depressive disorder but did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for major depression is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and ensure all relevant evidence has been considered.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for major depression with psychotic symptoms, finding no medical evidence linking the condition to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disability, characterized as a major depressive disorder, is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and the need for additional evidence, including a VA examination for hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD, but he does have a current diagnosis of a not otherwise specified depressive disorder which originated during his period of active service. Therefore, service connection is granted for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's service and his current psychiatric disorders, including psychotic disorder, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder. The claim was denied.

The veteran is seeking service connection for anxiety/depression, which he claims was caused by a collision and subsequent fire aboard the U.S.S. Belknap during his military service. The case has been remanded due to the need for another VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability and depression. The claim of service connection for alcoholism, to include as secondary to depression, is also addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for depression and a rating in excess of 40 percent for chronic lumbar syndrome with degenerative disc disease due to new evidence and further examination.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat and his PTSD is not service-connected. The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's experiences do not meet the DSM-IV criteria for PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, major depressive disorder, and tinnitus. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is manifested by symptoms such as depressed mood, suspiciousness, suicidal ideation, and disturbances of motivation. The VA examiner found that the veteran met criteria for a 70 percent rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the effective date for his service-connected lung cancer was set at June 7, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed in-service stressors and PTSD. The RO is instructed to seek additional medical records, corroborate the veteran's alleged stressors, and provide the veteran with proper notice of his rights under Dingess/Hartman v. Nicholson.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for infertility, major depressive disorder secondary to infertility, and left S1 radiculopathy, lumbar myositis, grade I spondylolisthesis, L5-S1, with associated bilateral spondylsosis, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions directly to service or to exposure to radiation.

The Board found no evidence of a seizure disorder during service or within the first year after separation, and concluded that the veteran's current seizure disorder is not related to his military service. The issues of service connection for psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) and PTSD were also denied due to lack of supporting medical evidence.