Depression decisions — 2009

The Board granted service connection for residuals of dilation and curettage (D&C) with resultant perforated uterus, to include adhesions.

The appeal for service connection for liver failure was denied as there is no evidence of a present disability.

The Veteran's service-connected depression has been rated at 50 percent due to symptoms including depressed mood, constricted affect, anxiety, panic attacks, irritability, anger, sleep problems, poor concentration, and impaired judgment.

The Board grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, based on credible evidence corroborating the Veteran's in-service sexual assault.

The appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for psychiatric disabilities, including generalized anxiety disorder with passive-dependent personality and depressive disorder, was denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The appeal is remanded to obtain the Veteran's complete service personnel records and, if necessary, schedule a VA mental health examination.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral leg pain.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, stomach disorder, headache disability, joint disorder, muscle disorder, blood in the colon, hypertension, leg cramps, shortness of breath, memory loss, fatigue, sleeping problems, blurred vision, and depression. The claimant was also denied new and material evidence to reopen claims related to these conditions.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for major depression secondary to a service connected right shoulder disability, as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Veteran's effective date for a 70 percent disability rating for recurrent major depression and total disability rating based on individual unemployability was established as November 1, 2001.

The Board remands the claim for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature, extent, onset and etiology of any psychiatric disability found to be present.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no evidence of a disability in service or continuity of symptoms thereafter.

The Board denied the claims for service connection as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the previously denied claims.

The appeal is remanded to afford the Veteran proper notice and due process, including a new VA examination for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include an anxiety disorder with phobias and depression and PTSD, is being remanded for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a substance abuse disorder as it was determined that the disability resulted from willful misconduct and not due to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is not secondary to his service-connected left knee condition, it was not present in service and it is not related to service.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that the evidence was in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied because he failed, without good cause, to report for a VA compensation examination needed to decide his appeal.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder.