Depression decisions — 2004

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety and depression, finding that new evidence supports this claim. The veteran presented with symptoms of nervousness during his military service and was discharged due to these symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for depression, sleep apnea, hypertension, right and left patellofemoral syndrome, a disorder manifested by insomnia, weight loss, and fatigue.

The Board has granted service connection for panic disorder and major depression, finding that the veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are related to his active duty service.

The Board determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause his death, and he was not entitled to dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has found that the veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder substantially contributed to his death due to psychotic depression, which is presumed to have been incurred during service. The appellant is also granted basic entitlement to Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code.

The Board is remanding the case for further development to determine if the veteran has a current psychiatric disorder and whether it is related to his active duty service.

The veteran's representative has requested service connection for anxiety with depression on a secondary basis due to existing service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded to consider this claim under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.310(a).

The veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder have been granted service connection, with a 50% rating effective March 6, 2000.

The Board has remanded the case for further evidentiary development, including a VA medical examination to determine the true classification of psychiatric disorders and when they first manifested. The claim will be adjudicated again based on the new evidence.

The Board found no additional psychiatric disability due to VA medical treatment in April 2000, and denied the veteran's claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected depressive disorder and for service connection for nephrolithiasis, a left ankle disability, and a conversion reaction.

The veteran's claim of service connection for asthma and reactive airway disease was denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that his current lung conditions were related to asbestos exposure in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder and therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the failure to file a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) regarding his bilateral plantar fasciitis claim. The remaining claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied.

The veteran requested to withdraw his appeal, and the Board dismissed it due to this request.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the rating decisions of July 1986, September 1986, March 1987, and November 1988 that denied entitlement to a TDIU. The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date was granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and impulse control disorder, finding no evidence of a chronic condition during or after service.

The Board has granted service connection for dysthymia and depression, finding that these conditions are related to the veteran's service. The other issues on appeal have been resolved.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disorders did not have their onset during service and were not aggravated by service. Therefore, they are not entitled to service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and ensuring compliance with procedural requirements.