Depression decisions — 2010

The Board found that there is not clear and unmistakable evidence of a preexisting psychiatric disorder, and the Veteran's major depressive disorder and psychosis NOS were presumed to have been present at entry into service. The Board then determined that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection as his disorders are not shown to be related to service.

The Board denied service connection for depression, bilateral foot fungus, right shoulder disability, low back disability, and residuals of hepatitis. The Veteran's claims were reopened but not granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service records are unavailable and additional development is needed to determine if he had any in-service disabilities or symptoms. The claims will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its complications, did not render him unemployable prior to November 29, 2007.

The Board found that the Veteran's major depressive disorder does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent, and denied both his claim for an increased evaluation and his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's medical history and need for further clarification of his mental health conditions during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of periods of active duty for training and inactive duty for training, obtaining VA treatment records, and scheduling a psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depression is related to her service-connected paravertebral myositis and back pain, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The rating for her paravertebral myositis and back pain remains at 40 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and assigned a 50 percent evaluation, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's disability is characterized by symptoms such as low energy, fatigue, short-term memory loss, and difficulty maintaining social relationships.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss, depression, and tinnitus are considered in determining whether he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, as well as a mental health examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disability began during service or is related to any incident of service.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his employability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further medical examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, is pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's depressive disorder is related to his active duty service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen claims for service connection of a low back disorder, PTSD, and depression. The Veteran's current diagnoses are attributed to post-service injuries rather than her military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, was denied. The VA compensation examiner determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD based on his symptoms and history.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for various disabilities have been granted, with the highest evaluation of 30 percent assigned for major depressive disorder with PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression, claimed as due to sleepwalking, is being remanded for further development and examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder was granted, and he is now receiving a 70 percent disability rating effective May 19, 2008.