Depression decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD has been granted, with the effective date set at October 22, 2003.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression is denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for depression disorder, claimed as secondary to her right knee disability, is pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure of VA correspondence and documents to be directed to the correct address. The case will again be processed for a psychiatric examination to determine if his current psychiatric disorder was caused or aggravated by the cardiovascular disease resulting from an April 1995 angioplasty.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include a major depressive disorder was denied as there is no credible evidence that the current condition is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a search of the NCOIC's personnel records to determine if there were in-service stressors related to sexual harassment and assault.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding no current evidence of PTSD or other diagnosed conditions that are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to her request for a Board hearing. The issues of service connection for various conditions are pending.

The Veteran's service records show he was referred to a psychiatrist in September 1969 due to weight loss and depression. He also received a court-martial conviction for pouring sugar into a gas tank. The Board finds the case must be remanded as there are multiple psychiatric diagnoses, including PTSD, and an examination is needed to determine if any current disorders are related to service.

The Board has determined that new evidence received since the August 2002 denial supports reopening of the Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety and depression. However, both anxiety and left shoulder strain were not shown to be related to military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to ascertain the Veteran's exposure to stressful events during service and to determine if he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. The case is therefore being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new VA psychiatric examination and consideration of recent medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran does not currently meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and there is no evidence linking any diagnosed psychiatric disorder to service or any incident therein. Therefore, the claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder was denied.

The Veteran's depression is found to be secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability, and he meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to both disabilities.

The Board found that the appellant's discharge from his second period of service was not dishonorable and thus did not constitute a bar to VA benefits. The claims for PTSD, depression, and back disability were denied as there is no credible evidence supporting these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including major depressive disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, and anxiety disorder, are found to be related to his service experiences. The Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence or aggravation that would support service connection for major depressive disorder and sleep disorder. The Veteran's statements were deemed not credible due to the long period without treatment following separation from active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service medical records and the need for additional examination. The Veteran's claims for depression and headaches are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent disabling since March 5, 1999. The Board has granted a higher initial rating for the period from July 27, 1993 to March 5, 1999.