Depression decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further verification of his claimed stressors.

The Board found that the Veteran's depression is related to her military service, and granted her claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to address service connection for various psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran's representative raised issues regarding hearing loss, tremors, and a skin condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right foot disorders and depression are granted, while the claim for glaucoma is denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates have been granted. He is now rated at 70 percent for PTSD with depression and alcohol abuse since October 26, 2004, and has an effective date of October 23, 2003 for the award of service connection for depression and alcohol abuse as secondary to his PTSD, and an effective date of October 23, 2003 for the TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The issue of reopening a cervical spine condition was reopened due to new and material evidence being submitted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for sleeplessness, depression, anxiety, and a bad temper prior to the Board's decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, finding no current diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV criteria and insufficient evidence linking any diagnosed condition to service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (variously identified as schizophrenia and depression) due to the Veteran's service-connected acne keloids.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when combined based on the single body system of arthritis, total more than 40 percent. The Board finds that the Veteran is as likely as not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and grants a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD, and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board found no nexus between the Veteran's active duty and his currently shown psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression. Therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disorder is not warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current right leg, left leg, or bilateral hearing loss disability. The Board also determined that there was no evidence of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and depression due to his service-connected stomach scar.

The Board found no basis to grant service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder on a direct or secondary basis, as there was not sufficient medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the May 30, 2002 rating decision regarding the effective date for PTSD service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The stressor events reported by the Veteran have been verified, allowing for a determination on the merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression, claimed as a nervous condition, is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected facial acne.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The issues include seeking increased ratings and service connection for various conditions secondary to his right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is the result of his military service, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD with depression.