Depression decisions — 2010

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a psychiatric disorder attributable to her active military service and denied her claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Vet Center records and verifying in-service stressors. The appellant's psychiatric disorders will be evaluated to determine if they are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for further examination. The Veteran's service is being considered as potentially aggravating his current psychiatric disorders.

The appellant is not recognized as a child of the Veteran for purposes of receiving DIC or accrued benefits due to his age and lack of permanent incapacity at 18 years.

The Veteran's skin condition (eczema) is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorder are currently rated at 30 percent. The evidence shows moderate impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, depression and generalized anxiety disorder due to the Veteran's credible identification of in-service stressors during World War II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression is related to his active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's depressive disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not causally related to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder and depression (not otherwise specified) were found to have been incurred during active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, and denied her increased rating claims for cervical spine degenerative changes with history of strain, early degenerative changes at L5-S1, right shoulder disorder (tendinitis/bursitis), and S/P cholecystectomy with irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA mental health examination to assess the relationship between his depression and service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for additional special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his ability to dress, undress himself, keep himself clean, feed himself, attend to his wants of nature, and function independently.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, PTSD, and depression due to lack of credible evidence supporting in-service stressors related to Vietnam service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current depressive disorder did not have its onset in service or within one year thereafter and has not been etiologically linked to his service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a major depressive disorder was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional due process considerations. The Veteran's diagnoses of anxiety and depression are to be considered in determining whether they are service-related.

The VA determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, did not have its onset in service or pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service. The Board found no evidence of a psychosis to a compensable degree within one year following separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and Depression are service-connected, with some stressors verified.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is related to in-service combat stressor events. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's depression did not begin during service and was not caused by or related to his military service, including his hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the effect of his service-connected bilateral pes planus on his employability.