Depression decisions — 2008

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The VA denied a higher initial evaluation for PTSD with depression, currently rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and will consider service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The issue of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is deferred pending further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left upper extremity ulnar neuropathy, special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate, and an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for hepatitis C associated with glomerulonephritis with nephrotic syndrome, hypertension, and heart disease. The Board found that there was no evidence to support service connection due to lack of a direct link between the veteran's active duty service or his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's depressive disorder was not incurred during service and is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected post concussion migraine headaches.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The veteran's claims are being remanded due to the submission of additional medical evidence without a waiver, and they will be reconsidered by the RO.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder, which was previously denied in March 1999. The new evidence submitted since that decision supports a finding of secondary service connection based on his already service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD, anxiety, depression, and panic disorder are due to a verified in-service stressor of sexual assault during her time in service. As a result, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and major depression, is aggravated by his service-connected tinea versicolor. The low back disorder is not shown to be related to active service or a service-connected condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his left shoulder, cervical spine, and left upper extremity radiculopathy disabilities. The veteran was not granted service connection for depression.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and depression or dysthymic disorder, finding no credible evidence of an in-service stressor. Service connection for drug addiction is granted, but hepatitis C remains not established.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected depressive disorder warranted a 30 percent rating, which is the current assigned disability evaluation.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA pension examination to determine the nature, extent, and severity of his disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as there is no evidence of such a condition during active service and no link between any current disability and service.

The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the veteran's current diagnosed depression and his military service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's depression warrants a disability rating of 50 percent, effective from the date of this decision.

VA granted service connection for major depressive disorder and assigned a 10 percent evaluation effective October 27, 2003.,In January 2005, VA increased the rating to 50 percent effective March 8, 2004.,In July 2007, VA further increased the rating to 70 percent effective January 30, 2007.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to consider his claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected chronic myositis, right scapular muscle.