Depression Board decisions

Since December 15, 2004, the veteran's major depressive disorder has been manifested by low mood with instances of suicidal ideation without intent and intermittent auditory and visual hallucinations. This results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas and an inability to establish effective relationships.

The veteran's major depressive disorder with mood disorder was not productive of suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, or other symptoms that would warrant a higher initial evaluation from July 2, 2001 to March 31, 2004.

The Board has ordered a remand for further development, including obtaining an opinion from the VA psychiatrist regarding whether the veteran's depressive disorder had its onset during service or is related to any in-service disease or injury.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining employment information and VA treatment records. The veteran's claims for an increased rating for major depression and entitlement to TDIU will be reconsidered using both old and new rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and counseling records from Turkey. The veteran's claim for major depressive disorder is being considered as new and material evidence was sought in relation to his diabetes mellitus claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA psychiatric examination and reviewing certain medical records to determine if the veteran's depression is related to service-connected low back condition or personal assaults in service. The decision on the merits will be made after this additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of claimed stressors and a psychiatric examination to determine if PTSD is service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for proper VCAA notice.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for a Travel Board hearing on all issues. The veteran should be scheduled for this hearing at the earliest opportunity.

Service connection granted for hypertension with an effective date of January 24, 2003.

The Board found no evidence of a psychiatric disorder in service and concluded that the veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders are not related to her military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of October 31, 1990 for service connection of recurrent major depressive disorder due to lack of a formal or informal claim prior to that date.

The veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected as they are manifestations of his pre-existing dysthymia disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure the veteran receives proper notice and assistance in connection with his claims for service connection. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected anxiety neurosis with depression did not cause or contribute to his death due to aortic valve disease. The claim for improved death pension benefits is also addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a higher initial rating than 50 percent, as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection and a higher disability evaluation was denied as the earliest effective date assignable is March 16, 1999.

The Board found that the veteran's depression is not directly related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but rather due to PTSD. The Board denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to missing records and the need for further examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim but not enough evidence exists to establish a nexus between his current condition and his service or service-connected disability.