Depression decisions — 2004

The Board has decided in favor of the veteran, granting service connection for bipolar disorder with depression.

The veteran is seeking service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, which he claims are related to alleged beatings during active service. The case has been remanded due to incomplete development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not result in an employment handicap, and he has successfully maintained suitable employment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and granted a 30% rating for his hepatitis C, but found that the major depressive disorder is secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C.

The veteran's death was not due to his own willful misconduct, and he had service-connected disability rated as totally disabling for a continuous period of at least one year immediately preceding his death. However, the appellant is not eligible for DIC benefits under section 1318 because the veteran did not have entitlement to compensation for a total rating for ten years prior to his death.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, depression, and a shoulder condition. The claim of whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for plantar wart, left foot, is dismissed due to withdrawal by the veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for depression and anxiety, as well as his claim for an increased evaluation for peptic ulcer disease. The decision found no evidence of current diagnoses or a link between these conditions and service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his hearing loss, otitis media, sinusitis, anxiety disorder, and major depression.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VCAA notification and a need for further examination of PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including major depression and schizoaffective disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by her active military service. The claim for PTSD was also denied due to insufficient evidence of a verified stressor.

The Board has determined that Hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The veteran's claims for PTSD and depression, as well as an increased evaluation for sling palsy of the left arm, are remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and TDIU, finding that no legal basis existed to assign an earlier date.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete notification and assistance under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA), and a need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current sinusitis and depression.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination. The TDIU claim will be remanded to provide the veteran with a statement of the case (SOC).

The Board has determined that the veteran's depression is secondary to his service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound due to multiple non-service-connected disabilities, finding that he did not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any arterial disorder and bipolar disorder/depression.

The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, depression, started in service and has continued as a chronic problem since service. The Board granted service connection for depression.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder and denied special monthly pension on account of the need for aid and attendance. The veteran's disabilities include major depressive disorder, prostate adenocarcinoma, lumbar paravertebral myositis, and cervical paravertebral myositis.