Depression decisions — 2009

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a mental health examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and the depression is not shown to be related to any incident of his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD stemming from a personal assault during service, is service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine condition, a thoracic spine condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found no nexus between the Veteran's current disabilities and his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and seizures are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety and depression, finding that these conditions are not related to active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's depressive disorder was not incurred in or aggravated during service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that her current depression is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his Social Security Administration records and Vocational Rehabilitation records. He will also be afforded a VA examination to determine whether his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of current PTSD. The Board also considered the issue of Major Depressive Disorder, which was raised by the Court in Clemons v. Shinseki.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability and Hepatitis C were granted. The claim for digestive disorder as a result of herbicide exposure was denied.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the criteria for Dysthymic Disorder (DC 9433), due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Veteran's sleep apnea was not found to be related to his military service.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current depression to her service, and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and determined that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran is currently diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, all related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability (claimed as sleeplessness, anxiety, chills symptoms, depression, nightmares and war intrusive thoughts) was granted. The Veteran also received a compensable evaluation (20%) for his bilateral hearing loss from December 30, 2008.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to clear and unmistakable error in granting service connection for urinary frequency.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including major depression with a sleep disorder, fatigue, bilateral knee, hand, and foot disorders, as well as joint and muscle pain. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were due to an undiagnosed illness or any other basis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and a secondary right shoulder disability, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's depression with anxiety is currently rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The condition has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is related to his service in Vietnam and grants service connection for these conditions.