Depression decisions — 2009

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical evidence regarding the appellant's current condition and its impact on her ability to require regular aid and attendance.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a mental illness, including paranoia, depression, and PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depression is service-connected, with its onset during active duty. The claim for PTSD was denied as there was no evidence of a diagnosed condition in accordance with DSM-IV standards.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to evaluate the severity of his service-connected migraine headaches and PTSD with depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability secondary to his service-connected left knee disability has been reopened. The Veteran is also granted an increased rating of 30 percent for hepatitis C, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, traumatic arthritis of the left knee, and a psychiatric disability including anxiety, depression, and psychosis. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left arm/shoulder disability. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is found to be more severe than reflected by the current 10 percent rating, and a higher initial rating is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent disabling for PTSD with depression has been denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right Achilles tendon disability was not granted an increase in rating, while the other conditions did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD and determined that new evidence received since the April 2004 rating decision is sufficient to reopen the claim. The issue of whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his military service remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and depression, finding that there was no clear diagnosis of psychiatric disability other than depression. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that hepatitis C or any related conditions were incurred in service.

The Board denied service connection for dermatophytosis of the right foot, residuals of frostbite to include infection of toenails, and an acquired psychiatric disorder including depressive disorder, not otherwise specified. The Veteran's dermatophytosis was found not related to service or a service-connected condition. Residuals of frostbite were also found not related to service or a service-connected condition. The Board concluded that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder is not related to his service-connected rhinosinusitis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The issues include a claim for an increased rating for PTSD with depression, service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from SSA and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's residuals of a right inguinal hernia are rated at 10 percent, and his acquired psychiatric disorder is service connected.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. The Board found that the evidence does not show a nexus between his current psychiatric disability and his period of service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of stressors and need for additional medical records. The Veteran's claim for PTSD will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the Veteran's incarceration and inability to attend a VA examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder, conversion reaction, and major depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor and to obtain all pertinent medical records. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, major depression, headaches, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of these conditions.