Depression decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 15, 1996 for service connection of depressive disorder. The issues of increased evaluation for hypertensive vascular disease and service connection for a heart condition secondary to hypertensive vascular disease are pending.

The Board found no competent medical evidence of a current psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder and depression, that was incurred or related to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the appellant's current mental disorder is related to his active duty service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have major depressive disorder that is related to his active service and denied his claim. The skin disorder claim remains pending as there are no records of a current diagnosis or evidence linking it to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a hearing before the Board at the Nashville RO. The issues of service connection for depression secondary to his shoulder and varicocele disabilities, as well as an increased rating for adhesive capsulitis of the left shoulder, are pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected psoriasis. The evidence did not show a nexus between the current psychiatric disability and service or any other service-connected condition.

The Board found that the veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder did not have its onset during active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that there is no medical evidence to substantiate a nexus between the veteran's period of service and his current psychiatric condition. The claim for ankylosing spondylitis, fracture at T10, and scoliosis was remanded due to inconsistencies in the July 2003 examiner's narrative and the need for additional records.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal as there was no timely substantive appeal filed, making it without jurisdiction to review the issue of service connection for major depression and seizure disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development of medical evidence, including a psychiatric examination and appropriate VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for dysthymia with paranoid symptoms and recurrent major depressive disorder, effective from January 4, 1991. The veteran's claim was reopened on this date after the November 1990 denial by the Board.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and depression, which had its onset during his active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have major depression that is service-connected. However, his DJD of the left knee is rated at 10 percent since June 20, 1996.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depression is likely to have begun during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and an acquired psychiatric disability. However, further development is required to determine if these disabilities are related to active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for depression. The RO previously denied this claim in January 1996, but did not receive a timely appeal from the veteran.

The Board has remanded this case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of the veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids and to determine the nature and likely etiology of his claimed psychiatric disorder. The RO will also consider whether separate ratings can be assigned based on different periods of time.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for depressive disorder and hypertension, as well as his claim to reopen a left knee disability. The right knee disability claim is also being remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection for depression, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted since the March 2001 RO decision.