Depression decisions — 2009

The Board found that the Veteran's current depressive disorder was not shown in service or for several years thereafter, and has not been shown to be related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a depressive disorder is denied.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and clarifying the appellant's attorney's comments.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with paranoid features is manifested by generalized anxiety, moderately severe depression, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, and isolative behavior productive of no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The criteria for a rating of 50 percent have been met.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for back pain and major depression. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to her time in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete adjudication of service connection claims and a need for clarification regarding the appellant's ability to work.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, specifically depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA audiological treatment records and a VA psychiatric examination to determine if her depression is related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder that can be related to his period of service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression (including major depressive disorder), and bipolar disorder (including bipolar affective disorder) were denied as there is no verified stressor to support the claimed conditions, and no competent evidence of a link between any of these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and an anxiety disorder with features of PTSD, is related to his service in Vietnam. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence now of record includes additional VA and private treatment records, lay statements, and hearing testimony that relates to this fact.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxiety warrants a staged rating of 30 percent prior to March 28, 2006; 50 percent from March 28, 2006 to November 3, 2008; and 70 percent from November 3, 2008.

The Board has ordered a remand for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder or hypertension related to his military service and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran did not provide sufficient information about in-service stressors to support a diagnosis of PTSD and denied his claims for service connection for PTSD, residuals of a head injury, depression, and anxiety.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for a head injury with a secondary nervous disorder, personality disorder (claimed as bipolar manic depressive disorder with hypomania), or compound contusion of the spinal column. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder with depression is currently rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder, but granted the claim to reopen for a skin disorder. The Veteran's duodenal ulcer rating remains unchanged.

The Board denied service connection for a left leg amputation, including as secondary to service-connected plantar warts of the left foot.,The Board also denied service connection for depression, including as secondary to service-connected plantar warts of both feet.