Depression Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and agoraphobia, did not originate in service or due to military service. The evidence showed a history of mental health issues prior to service and no clear link between current conditions and service.

The veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for PTSD with recurrent depression is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence, including an opinion on her employability.,The veteran's claim for TDIU prior to July 23, 2004 is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with her initial rating claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and lack of full notice under VCAA. The veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is on appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) that is related to service. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral hearing loss are both denied.

The veteran's medical conditions do not meet the regulatory criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA vocational rehabilitation records and providing the veteran with a VCAA letter. An examination will also be conducted to determine if any current diagnosis of dysthymia or depression is related to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disability, characterized as a major depressive disorder, is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim for residuals of a fractured right femur. The claim for secondary service connection for depression is granted, but the veteran's direct service connection claim remains denied.

The veteran's service-connected undifferentiated somatoform disorder with depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since the initial grant of service connection in May 1999, reflecting overall reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for major depression, which is related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim and granted service connection for PTSD, finding credible supporting evidence of a personal assault in service. The veteran is also service connected for major depression.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include depression, and initial compensable disability ratings for right and left knee strains.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disability, diagnosed as a depressive disorder, had its onset during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for depression and scar tissue as secondary to the veteran's service-connected total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied compensation for bilateral shaking leg syndrome due to VA vocational rehabilitation training. Service connection for chronic headaches and an eating disorder was not reopened, as the new evidence did not present a contention that the conditions began during service or worsened during service. The claim for avitaminosis was reopened based on new evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of multiple joints and depression, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's psychiatric disorder, arthritis of the feet, shoulders, and back disability to service. The claim for hepatitis C was also denied as there is no competent evidence showing a nexus between the condition and service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the 5th and 6th cervical vertebrae, finding that any current psychiatric disorders did not originate in service or are otherwise unrelated to his military service.

The veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and his eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35 of the U.S. Code is denied.