Depression decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, inclusive of PTSD, and for a low back disorder. The remaining claims requesting higher ratings for tension headaches and residuals of the fracture of the 5th metacarpal of his right hand were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of injuries to his right little and ring fingers, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The claim for a noncompensable rating for residuals of laceration to the right little finger was granted with an effective date of August 29, 1974.

The Board found that the appellant's gastrointestinal symptoms are attributable to known clinical diagnoses and not due to an undiagnosed illness. The claims for skin disorder, eye disability, chronic bacterial infection, sleep impairment, concentration difficulty, memory impairment, anxiety, depression, and dysthymia were also denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder due to a finding that the condition existed prior to his period of active service and was not aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder and left shoulder disorder, but granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and depressive disorder. The veteran's attorney was paid fees based on past-due benefits awarded due to the grant of service connection for left cervical radiculopathy.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia and major depression. The RO was instructed to formally adjudicate this issue again.

The veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder and major depression have rendered him unable to obtain or retain employment, warranting a 100% disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's depression and anxiety are related to his 1991 VA surgery for ASD, granting compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151. The claims for drug-induced lupus and impotence are denied as not well grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran developed an acquired psychiatric disorder during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied or are pending. The RO has granted service connection for a depressive disorder but denied claims for chronic fatigue and memory loss, sleep disorders, respiratory issues, cardiovascular problems, and a skin rash that was reopened based on new evidence submitted after the initial denial.

The Board has determined that there is no current medical evidence supporting the veteran's claims for service connection for atrophy of the muscles of the right forearm, a right elbow disorder, and a right shoulder disorder. The depression claim was also denied as it is not secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for service connection for depression secondary to back strain with spondylolisthesis of the L5 vertebra is well grounded. The evidence suggests a relationship between the current disability and the service-connected back disability.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for scar residuals of laceration with chronic pain and referred the issue of entitlement to a higher rating for PTSD to the RO. The veteran's other mental conditions, including PTSD, were not separately rated.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of active military service records and an unclear claim for PTSD. The appellant's claims will be reviewed again with additional information about his service and stressors.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claim is also considered well-grounded as there is credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors resulting in current diagnoses of PTSD and other psychiatric disorders.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her service-connected conditions were denied. Her major depression was found to be manifested by moderate symptoms resulting in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 30 percent evaluation. The bilateral plantar fasciitis with Achilles tendonitis was found to result in no more than moderate impairment of each foot, warranting a 10 percent evaluation for each foot combined. The stress fracture residuals were not found to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Major Depression, as well as his claim for Generalized Joint Pain due to an undiagnosed illness during service in SWATO, is well grounded. The evidence supports a finding of a nexus between these conditions and the veteran's service.

The Board found that the veteran's asthmatic bronchitis, claimed as COPD, pre-existed service and was not aggravated by it. The claim for depression is not well-grounded.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a comprehensive VA examination and additional medical records. The issue of an increased evaluation for depression will also be addressed.

The veteran's pain disorder and major depressive disorder are found to be caused by his service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the right chest, thus granting service connection for these conditions.