Depression decisions — 2009

The Board found that the Veteran did not have current diagnoses of sleep apnea, residuals of a right hand injury, or low back disorder. The Board also determined that there was no evidence of chronic left foot injuries during service and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression and is granting it, as new evidence shows a current diagnosis of depression. However, the claim cannot be granted because there is no evidence linking this condition to service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was found to be incurred during active military service. The Board also determined that bronchitis and a skin disorder were not related to his time in service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The Board has determined that the case must be remanded to afford the Veteran a VA examination to determine if any of his psychiatric disorders are related to, had its onset during, or were permanently aggravated by his military service.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a depressive disorder, as there was no verifiable evidence showing the current diagnosis of depression was related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder has been rated at 100 percent since April 23, 2003, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for his Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depression have resulted in total occupational and social impairment since April 16, 2002.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and readjudication, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, PTSD, and major depression, are etiologically related to his service. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, requires additional development due to the recharacterization of the issue. A VA examination is needed to determine if any current psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is related to service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder was granted. The Board found that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is likely caused by chronic right hip pain associated with his service-connected post-operative residuals of an excision of a tumor of the right hip with arthritis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for depression and a left shoulder injury. The remaining issues of service connection for other conditions are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear diagnoses of PTSD and depression, inconsistent evidence, and the need for a medical opinion linking any diagnosed conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and that his anxiety and adjustment disorder was not related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a medical examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression, is related to his active duty service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Codes 5237-5243. The other conditions have their respective current ratings.

The Veteran's appeal of an increased evaluation for depression has been dismissed. The claim for an increased evaluation for migraine headaches remains denied.