Depression decisions — 2009

The appeal is remanded to obtain additional evidence and schedule the Veteran for a VA psychiatric examination.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for major depressive disorder and thoracolumbar strain are being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims of service connection for headaches, residuals of a head injury, and a psychiatric disorder.

The Board grants service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include depression and PTSD, based on credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors including sexual harassment and a physical assault.

The Board found that the veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, was not incurred in nor the result of active duty.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen a claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and depression.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of prostate cancer and major depressive disorder were denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for left knee chondromalacia, service connection for PTSD and depression, and to reopen a claim for a left foot/toe disability were denied.

The Veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder, effective April 5, 2006, was found to be productive of total social and industrial impairment.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a psychological disorder was reopened based on new and material evidence, but the claim was ultimately denied as there is no competent evidence indicating that he developed a superimposed psychiatric disability during service that aggravated his personality disorder.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorders, depression, and a bilateral leg disorder to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the claimed conditions.

The veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was denied because a current diagnosis of PTSD was not shown, and the psychological symptoms were related to depression and personality disorders.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded for further development.

The veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded to the RO for further development, including an examination and adjudication of his service connection claims.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and depression as there was no credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors occurred, and the veteran did not meet the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were remanded to obtain additional evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, as there was no competent evidence linking any of his current psychiatric diagnoses with service or an incident therein.

The veteran did not meet the requirements for TDIU under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) until July 13, 2004, and as such, an earlier effective date is denied; however, the claim should be referred to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration.

The claim to reopen the service connection for a psychiatric disorder, claimed as bipolar disorder or manic depression, was remanded for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions as there was no competent evidence linking any of them to the veteran's active service or any exposure during that time.