Depression decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for neck disability, stomach condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizoaffective disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board found no evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder to include Major Depression, Depressive Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, Mood Disorder, and Bipolar Disorder. The Veteran engaged in combat with the enemy during his service aboard the USS John R. Craig and was awarded a Combat Action Ribbon. His current diagnoses of PTSD and other psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, was found to be incurred in service. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also granted.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia, which is manifested by widespread musculoskeletal pain and tender points that are nearly constant and refractory to therapy, has been found to warrant a 40 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a major depressive disorder and hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder and depressive disorder had their onset during his active service in Egypt, and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and psychiatric disability to include on a secondary basis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with a depressive disorder, which had its onset during military service. The Board grants the Veteran's appeal and awards service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's MS was aggravated during his active service and secondary service connection issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is service-connected. The Board also found that her back disorder and hypertension are related to her military service.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include mood disorder (claimed as depression and stress), hypertension (claimed as secondary to depression and stress), and granted service connection for bilateral pes planus with an initial rating of 10 percent. The claim for dyspepsia with irritable bowel syndrome remains in appellate status.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied the claims of service connection for depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, a chronic disability manifested by numbness and pain in the left upper extremity, and a chronic lung disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for his depressive disorder is being remanded due to the lack of recent medical evidence and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a major depressive disorder, finding that the condition is related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression was not incurred in or aggravated by military service, and it is not proximately due to, or the result of, his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's HIV and depressive disorder were not found to warrant higher initial ratings as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.