Depression decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the validity of the veteran's claims for service connection, including verifying stressor events and diagnosing any current psychiatric conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and total compensation rating based on individual unemployability were denied. The Board found that VA's duty to assist required obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between current psychiatric symptoms and service-connected conditions, as well as a VA examination to determine the nature and extent of her service-connected diverticulosis and adenomyomatosis.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including degenerative joint disease of the cervical and thoracic spine, depression, chest pains, memory loss, dizziness, weakness in the arms, and weakness in the legs, all claimed as due to undiagnosed illness.

The veteran's PTSD, associated anxiety disorder and major depression are service-connected. He also has a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss and a 10 percent initial rating for postoperative residuals of cancer of the vocal cord.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from the Marine Corps and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran's psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder and mood disorder, were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to a lack of evidence showing that VA medical treatment caused or contributed to her husband's death from acute renal failure.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking his current psychiatric conditions to his military service.

The veteran's depression is being remanded for a medical opinion to determine if it is related to service-connected lumbosacral sprain or another cause.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing and attempting to obtain morning reports related to mumps residuals. The veteran's claims for service connection for depressive disorder and mumps residuals will be reconsidered.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for fibromyalgia with history of depression, currently rated as 40 percent disabling.

The Board found that the veteran's neurodermatitis is more likely than not related to service, as it began before service but worsened during service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, finding that the earliest possible effective date is August 15, 2000.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination and issuance of an SOC on the issue of service connection for a psychiatric disorder as a result of lung surgery. The case will be returned to the Board only following the timely submission of a Substantive Appeal.

The veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, vascular malformation of the right forearm, ulcerative colitis, tinea cruris and onychomycosis of the toenails, and panic disorder and major depression are all denied.,Service connection is granted for tinea pedis (toenail fungus) based on service connection already established.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence to assess her psychiatric and spine disabilities, as well as the need for additional examinations. The case will be returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development regarding effective dates for service connection and TDIU.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, low back disorder, or migraine headaches that were incurred in service.,The veteran's statements regarding stressors during service were deemed insufficient and not credible.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding no causal link between his current conditions and his military service.