Depression decisions — 2010

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and arterial hypertension (hypertension), finding that the Veteran's claimed stressors are not combat-related. The claim is reopened due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression and granted it, finding that new evidence received since the last denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be attributable to his military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to issues related to service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and major depression. The Veteran's claim is pending as it was reopened based on new evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and GAD, is considered to be related to his service. Service connection for these conditions has been granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was rated at 30 percent prior to September 10, 2007, and increased to 50 percent thereafter. The Board found that the current ratings did not adequately reflect the severity of his condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his military service and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is related to his military service. The heart condition was not shown to be incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination and notification of all five elements of a service connection claim.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including depression, mood changes, anxiety, bone degeneration of the L5-S1, swelling in multiple body parts, and weight gain, all secondary to his service-connected Addison's disease. The case is being remanded for further examination and development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD with major depression and a chronic, acquired eye disability.

The Veteran's death was caused by an acute stroke, but there is no evidence linking any of the underlying conditions (diabetes, hypertension, and major depression) to his military service. The Board found that service connection for the cause of death is not warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have an employment handicap and therefore, does not meet the criteria for vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31 of Title 38 United States Code.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's paranoid schizophrenia with depression is as likely as not related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for major depressive disorder, sinusitis, and a headache disorder have been denied as the evidence does not show that his conditions meet or approximate the criteria for higher schedular ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for his left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a genitourinary disorder is denied as there is no competent evidence of a current diagnosis. The claims for increased evaluations for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and issuing a statement of the case on the issue of service connection for depression.

The Veteran's depression was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depression and bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need to obtain his in-service treatment records.