Depression decisions — 2001

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depression is service-connected, as it was incurred during his active military service.

The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and thus denied his claim.

The veteran's claim for service connection for major depression was denied due to lack of well-groundedness. The Board has ordered additional development including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA psychiatric examination.

The case is remanded to the RO for adjudication of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as anxiety and depression. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disability will be readjudicated after resolving the service connection issue.

The veteran's claims for memory loss, depression, nervousness, night sweats, loss of sleep, loss of appetite, fatigue and shyness are denied. The rash and joint pain issues remain pending as their status is unknown.

The veteran is found to be permanently and totally disabled due to his psychiatric conditions, which preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome, musculoskeletal pain of the wrists, shoulders, hips, neck and knees, muscle weakness, headaches, night sweats, burning eyes, depression, memory loss, and sleep problems are all related to his service in the Gulf War.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection have been remanded due to procedural errors and the need for additional development.

The Board denied the reopening of claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder (to include depression and paranoid schizophrenia) and gastroenteritis, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The veteran's bipolar disorder with depression is rated at 30 percent, and his ulnar neuritis, residuals of left elbow injury, is rated at 10 percent. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, should be remanded to allow for additional development of his claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, severe depression, blackout spells, dizziness, headaches, and blurred vision. The right knee disability claim was also denied.

The veteran's appeal is about the current disability rating for his depressive disorder. The case has been remanded to re-schedule a personal hearing at the RO before a Veterans Law Judge.