Depression Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VCAA notice. The veteran's major depressive disorder will be evaluated by a VA psychiatrist.

The Board has granted the veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD. The veteran was seen by a psychiatrist during his second period of service and hospitalized for psychiatric reasons shortly after discharge from the Coast Guard in early 1978. Additional development is needed to obtain these records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's depression was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for the veteran's major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder, effective April 15, 2002. The condition causes significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board found that the veteran's depression did not originate during her periods of active service and is not otherwise etiologically related to either period of service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for a video conference hearing before the Board. The current evaluation of 50 percent for major depressive disorder with panic disorder remains unchanged.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disability is related to his active duty service, and he also has a diagnosed psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The claim for service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board found no evidence of any service connection for the claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current mood disorder is aggravated by his service-connected back strain, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed in-service stressors, including multiple sexual assaults by superior officers, have not been verified and thus service connection for PTSD cannot be established.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including panic disorder without agoraphobia and major depressive disorder, are related to his military service. The evidence shows he experienced symptoms during service and continued to experience them post-service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for ulcerative colitis and depression with anxiety, finding new and material evidence. Service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with panic disorder and agoraphobia, and major depressive disorder. The issue of service connection for panic attacks is rendered moot due to the grant of service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, major depression, social anxiety disorder, substance induced mood disorder, mood disorder and alcohol related mood disorder, did not begin in or is otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying the veteran's claimed stressors and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if he has PTSD related to service.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for a psychiatric disorder other than depression and mood disorder NOS, as the evidence does not show aggravation of preexisting conditions during service. Service connection for depression and mood disorder NOS is granted.

The VA denied service connection for an abdominal hernia, right lower quadrant.,The VA also denied service connection for depression and a duodenal ulcer.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of a depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right ankle disorder, or left ankle disorder. The evidence does not support service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability, neck disability, back disability, depression (claimed with extreme nightmares related to a car accident), and refractive error (blurred vision). The reasons include lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any other compensable basis.