Depression decisions — 2009

The Board denied the claims for service connection for hepatitis C, depression, and alcohol and drug addiction for purposes of accrued benefits due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected depression and residuals of a concussion. The Veteran also requested an increased rating for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that there was no verified stressor event in service to support the claims. The Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for his current psychiatric disorder, and denied both his initial compensable rating claim for residuals of a left hernia repair and his extraschedular rating claim. The Veteran's residuals of a left hernia are currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying any in-service stressor and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities are related to her military service.

The Veteran's depression is found to be related to her service-connected asthma, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The issue of TDIU remains pending as it requires further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, hiatal hernia/GERD, and lung disorder is denied. The claim for depression remains pending.,Service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions is not granted as there is no evidence linking them to his military service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and depressive disorder are rated at 50 percent, warranting a higher rating than the current 30 percent. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is not established.

The Veteran's major depression and anxiety disorder were granted a 70 percent evaluation effective October 20, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to evaluate his nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of anxiety or depressive disorder other than PTSD. Therefore, the claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the case to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office for further consideration due to new evidence submitted without a waiver of AOJ consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), including a nervous disorder and major depression, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since June 4, 2003. The Board found that the criteria for a higher evaluation (70%) were met from that date.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is rated at 20 percent, and his depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent. The combined rating of both conditions meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the relationship between his major depressive disorder and his service-connected lumbar spine disability, as well as an examination of his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining evidence and conducting a VA examination.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the appellant did not meet the requirements for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board finds that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as a result of his military service and grants service connection for this condition.