Depression decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, bilateral hearing loss, and a psychiatric disability have been reopened. The evidence received since the April 1994 denial includes new and material evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate each claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for major depression and granted service connection based on evidence showing a link between his in-service psychiatric condition and his current diagnosis of major depression.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, including PTSD with major depression and agoraphobia, is currently rated at 70 percent. This rating reflects occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, speech intermittently illogical, obscure, or irrelevant; near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately, and effectively.

The Board has remanded the case to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office for further development and re-adjudication due to issues with the classification of the issues on appeal, including verification of in-service stressors.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to conflicting evidence regarding the onset of psychiatric symptoms during service and a need for an examination.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, diagnosed as an anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, was incurred in active service.

The VA determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of engaging in sedentary work.

The Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations, preventing the determination of his claims.,VA medical records show that the Veteran's headaches, depression, and alcohol dependence were first diagnosed many years after service.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder, depressive disorder with PTSD and PTSD. The Veteran is currently rated at 70 percent under Diagnostic Code 9411.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder with major depression, currently diagnosed as cyclothymic disorder, is at least as likely as not related to her military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia, PTSD, and anxiety/depression (claimed as mood disorder) due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD and whether his current diagnoses of major depression and anxiety disorder are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hemorrhoids and depression, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are likely as not to have had their clinical onset during his period of active service.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected chronic pain syndrome with major depression.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a heel spur of the left foot or persistent/recurrent symptoms thereof. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability remains pending.

The Veteran's depressive disorder has caused total occupational and social impairment throughout the appeal period, warranting a maximum 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's major depression is not service-connected as it is less likely than not related to his military service. Initial compensable evaluations for chondromalacia of the right and left knee are also denied.