Depression decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, paranoid schizophrenia, and major depression, were denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of these conditions and thus cannot establish service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his psychiatric disorders are not related to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's headaches are granted service connection. The claims for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, depression, and a skin disorder (cysts or growths on the neck) remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for generalized anxiety disorder with major depression was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder did not preexist service and is not related to service or a service-connected disability. As such, the claim for service connection for major depressive disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for her lumbosacral strain and a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability are being remanded for additional development of the record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him unable to obtain or retain employment prior to December 26, 2007.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for hypertension, arthritis, and depression. The conditions were not shown to be related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has re-characterized the issue as service connection for PTSD, and the Veteran needs to provide evidence of a personal assault in service that caused his PTSD. The VA must also obtain additional records from SSA and VA treatment providers.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a psychiatric disorder related to his service and denied both claims for service connection. The rating for low back strain was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected left orchiectomy due to torsion. The Board finds that the Veteran's current depression may be related to his active military service, but not to his acne vulgaris of the face, chest, and back.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the earliest effective date for the grant of service connection and the assignment of a 100% rating for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder is January 14, 2003. The Veteran's claim was received on this date after his original claim in November 1970 had been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression and paranoia, finding that her current conditions did not clearly and unmistakably exist prior to service and were not due to a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his experiences in Somalia during active duty. Service connection for PTSD is not addressed as it was remanded and a new examination is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder, are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal concerning a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with depressive disorder has been withdrawn.

The Board has denied service connection for acquired heart disease, COPD, neck disability, back disability, and psychiatric disability to include depression. The appellant is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active military service. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, remains pending as the evidence does not support a stressor event in service.