Depression decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder were denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor for PTSD, the Veteran's current anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder are not related to active service, and VA has done everything reasonably possible to notify and assist the claimant.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for depression as secondary to his service-connected disabilities is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's disability picture encompasses a variety of significant multi-system disabilities, factually rendering her more often than not unable to safely perform virtually all activities of daily living without regular assistance from another person. The Board grants special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from November 2000 to August 2001 is granted as he meets the schedular criteria and there is probative evidence of his unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for essential hypertension was denied. His claim for increased evaluation of bilateral tinea pedis was not granted, and his claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder (claimed as post-traumatic stress disorder) was granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since July 29, 2003. The Board found that the condition resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's kidney cysts and depression are not service-connected. The Board denied the claims for service connection due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and depression were denied as there was no current disability found, and the evidence did not support a link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his employment as a farmer.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU, but his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. Therefore, TDIU is denied.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development of the record, including obtaining service treatment records from September 1991 to March 1992 and seeking VA medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder is due to her service-connected spondylolisthesis, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board, with no compensable rating assigned for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for paranoid personality disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for paranoid personality disorder. The Board also found that a psychosis was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied all reopened service connection claims for hypertension, depression, sleep disorder, skin rash, throat infection, ear infection, and kidney stones as due to an undiagnosed illness. The evidence submitted did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a neuropsychiatric examination.

The Board previously denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for dysthymia, depressive reaction, and/or major depression. The Joint Motion to vacate found that the Board had erred by finding no in-service psychiatric treatment when the Veteran reported such treatment. As a result, the case is being remanded for further action including obtaining additional service medical records and conducting another VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, fevers, night sweats, headaches, chronic fatigue, confusion, and irritability as due to a qualifying disability, gastrointestinal disorder, and skin disorder have been denied. The Board found that the symptoms are not related to active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records from Social Security Administration (SSA) regarding his 1966 grant of disability benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, PTSD, and depression. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for PTSD was granted based on a diagnosed condition related to in-service stressors, but service connection for depression was denied as it did not manifest during or within one year after service.