Depression decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and PTSD are not shown to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with panic attacks and agoraphobia is found to be related to his military service, warranting the grant of service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to additional development being required, including a new VA examination for his bilateral hearing loss and issuance of a statement of the case on issues related to service connection for anxiety and depression and tinnitus.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed depression and anxiety is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, effective June 17, 2009. The rating reflects significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected depression was denied, as the evidence did not support a higher rating than 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder is related to her service and her service-connected low back disability, granting her claim for service connection.

The Board has vacated its previous decision denying service connection for PTSD and remanded the case to allow for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's depression is related to his service-connected disabilities and the Board has granted service connection for this condition as secondary to those disabilities.

The Veteran's request for service connection for depression is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the RO after the hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's leg disability, including restless leg syndrome, is not related to military service or an event of service origin.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder with depression was initially rated at 30 percent prior to June 10, 2010 and increased to 50 percent thereafter. The effective date remains unchanged as the claim is still pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, claimed as major depression, was denied because there is no evidence of a current disability or a diagnosis of a psychiatric condition during service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a separate mood disorder and concluded that his depression began after service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including depression. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, chronic depressive disorder (claimed as secondary to PTSD, headaches and right shoulder disability), initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder musculoligamentous strain and headaches, and an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including depression, were not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied because the treatment received at Grady Memorial Hospital was not furnished by a VA employee or in a facility over which the Secretary has direct jurisdiction.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to service and the Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for VA treatment records and a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, diagnosed as tinea and onychomycosis, was found to have been incurred in service. The claim for a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) is pending.