Depression decisions — 2008

The veteran's PTSD with secondary depression NOS was granted a disability rating of 50 percent effective prior to November 1, 2007.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD, major depressive disorder, or anxiety disorder as a result of service. The preponderance of evidence shows these conditions are related to his post-service medical history and other non-service-related factors.

The Board found no evidence of depression, Epstein-Barr virus, or back injury during service. The appellant's current conditions are not related to his military service.,Service connection for the claimed conditions is denied.

The veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his anxiety disorder was granted, and he is currently rated at 50 percent disabling effective November 13, 2003. The Board found that the evidence supported an increased rating from this date.

The Board found that the veteran's current diagnoses of depression and bipolar disorder are not related to his period of active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of in-service stressors and a VA examination to determine if the veteran's acquired psychiatric condition is related to service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the veteran's service-connected diabetes and his claimed memory loss, depression, and inability to work.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled hearing. He will be given the option for a video conference hearing.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining private psychiatric treatment records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete records and inadequate examination reports.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral leg disability, muscle pain, dizziness, and sleep disorder have been reopened. The claim for service connection for depression has also been granted.,However, the specific nature of the decision regarding each condition remains to be determined based on further evidence and analysis.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to his already service-connected degenerative disc disease of the 5th and 6th cervical vertebrae. The most persuasive medical evidence indicated that any current psychiatric disorders did not originate in service or are otherwise attributable to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's anxiety disorder and depressive disorder are related to his service, but he does not have PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for depressive disorder prior to April 9, 2004 and service connection for PTSD, refractive error with astigmatism (claimed as poor vision), and abdominal cramps and leg cramps associated with menstruation. The appeals were based on the veteran's service records and medical evidence.

The VA has determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder warrants a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the day following her discharge from active duty.

The Board has determined that further development of the medical evidence is necessary to determine if service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, is warranted.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded due to incomplete records, particularly regarding the veteran's service in June 1970 and his mental health treatment. The claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric condition will need to be reconsidered with additional evidence.

The VA determined that the veteran's depression was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board found that the veteran's depression was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty and is not secondary to a service-connected disability. The TDIU claim was not addressed due to inadequate VCAA notice.

The Board granted a rating of 50 percent for the veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability (depression or PTSD) from July 21, 1992 to January 29, 2001. The effective date for service connection of PTSD was set at January 30, 2001.