Depression decisions — 2000

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to insufficient evidence of exposure to combat-related stressors. The RO must request details from the veteran about his claimed stressors and attempt to verify them through USASCRUR.

The Board has found that the appellant has perfected his appeal from the RO's denial of service connection for major depressive episodes due to drug dependency. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD is also remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric disability, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. The claim is now pending for further review.

The veteran's major depression has been granted a 100% rating since December 1989, effective from the date of his claim. The back disability remains at 60%. The earlier effective date for TDIU is being remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, resulting in a denial of the reopening of the claim.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for glaucoma and a psychiatric disorder have been denied. The current status of the glaucoma is noted, with no present manifestations. For the psychiatric disorder, symptoms are described as moderate with mild occupational impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is well-grounded and grants this issue. The veteran also claims service connection for various other conditions, including joint pain, stomach condition, sleep disorder, night sweats, fatigue, memory loss, depression, headaches, sinus infections with runny nose, and chest pain, all potentially related to an undiagnosed illness during his military service in the Persian Gulf War. The Board finds that further examination is needed for these claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral elbow strain, finding that there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various gastrointestinal, respiratory, and neurological disorders, finding that they were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The VA has confirmed and continued the current 30 percent evaluation for PTSD, but did not grant an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, depression, and TMJ syndrome are not well grounded. The evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and her period of active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a psychiatric specialist's opinion regarding whether the veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death.

The Board finds a reasonable possibility exists that further examination or development will aid in establishing service connection for visual disability and tension headaches.,There is no reasonable possibility of establishing service connection for memory loss or profuse sweating.

The veteran's claim for depression secondary to his service-connected left knee disability was denied. The appeal regarding the timeliness of the NOD with the April 1996 rating decision denying secondary service connection for right knee and left hip disorders is also denied. The veteran's claim for urinary tract stricture is pending.

The veteran's right wrist sprain, major depression, and lateral meniscus tear of the left knee are all currently rated at their maximum levels. The claims for increased evaluations have been granted.

The Board found that the veteran's depression did not have its onset during service and is unrelated to military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy. The Board also found that there was no evidence to support a secondary service connection for depression.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected conditions have been denied. The RO has maintained the current evaluations, which are considered adequate to compensate the veteran for his disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's depression is not related to VA surgical treatment and denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, while finding that he has a well-grounded claim for service connection of hepatitis C.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected psychotic depressive disorder is denied.