Depression decisions — 2009

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung disorders, hypertension, and bilateral hip disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected spinal meningitis, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and psychiatric treatment records from VA facilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's depression with anxiety is currently manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD, which involves two reported in-service stressor events. The Board has ordered additional development to verify these events and obtain a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression and anxiety, as new and material evidence has been submitted. The claims of service connection for PTSD, CAD, and a temporary total rating are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, cervical disc disease, arthritis of the lumbar spine with mild disc disease and spondylolysis, right leg sciatica, and residuals of a postoperative scar on the bridge of the nose. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, including GERD, and for depression. The Board finds that the current examination report is inadequate and requires clarification regarding the relationship between his service-connected right knee and low back disabilities (and any medication used to treat these disabilities) and his current gastrointestinal disorder.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as anxiety, mood disorder and depression, to include as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected headaches. The claim was also denied for PTSD due to lack of verified stressors.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of arthralgia, peripheral neuropathy, ulnar neuropathy and pulmonary emphysema prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the current psychiatric diagnosis and whether it is related to his period of active service. The issue remains about service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder and assigned an initial 30 percent rating from the date of his claim in May 2004. The Veteran is seeking a higher initial rating.

The Veteran seeks service connection for his depression, which is claimed to be secondary to his service-connected degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy. The Board has determined that additional development is needed and the case is REMANDED.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for bilateral hearing loss, neuropathy of the right upper extremity, and neuropathy of the left upper extremity. The claim for special monthly pension was also withdrawn.,PTSD was not diagnosed in service or post-service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The issues of service connection for hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver are also before the Board.

The Veteran's claim for reopening of PTSD is pending, as well as his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The case needs to be remanded to seek verification of the alleged stressor event and arrange for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied as he did not meet the service requirements to receive such benefits.