Depression decisions — 2004

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed skin disorder, hypertension, arthritis/degenerative joint disease, rhinosinusitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, dizzy spells, and nervous disorders (insomnia, loss of memory, major depression) due to mustard gas exposure as there is no competent evidence verifying full-body exposure to mustard gas or Lewisite during active duty service.

The veteran is seeking an additional extension of his delimiting date for educational assistance benefits due to a diagnosed condition, specifically PTSD and severe depression. The RO denied the claim, but the case must be remanded for further development.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating prior to October 11, 2001 was granted and he is now rated at 70 percent for his psychiatric disability. From October 11, 2001 onwards, the claim remains pending as no higher rating has been granted.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected disabilities are being remanded to allow for additional development of the evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for additional evidence, including service personnel records and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board found that the veteran's major depression is not etiologically related to her active service, including any personal assaults she claimed.

The Board has granted service connection for depression secondary to the service-connected vagotomy and pyloroplasty.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of her service-connected depression and dysthymia.

The Board has granted the veteran an effective date of July 2, 1991 for a 100 percent evaluation for residuals of major depression with anxiety disorder and personality disorder. The case is now remanded to obtain additional VA medical records prior to July 2, 1991, and provide VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to an effective date of November 14, 2001 for his service connection and TDIU ratings due to new evidence submitted in November 2001.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals at a local VA office. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and non-VA medical records, as well as a VA psychiatric examination.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound was denied due to his current disabilities not meeting the criteria for such benefits.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected major depression and PTSD have been manifested by occupational and social impairment with an occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, warranting a 30 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD with depression is causally linked to his in-service physical and emotional trauma, specifically a stress fracture of the left tibia. As such, service connection for PTSD with depression is granted.

The veteran's claim for non-service connected pension benefits is remanded due to the need for further examination and development of his medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder, and for an increased evaluation for his scar. The Board found no evidence linking the current psychiatric disorders to service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, based on new evidence provided by the veteran regarding her in-service sexual assault.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence of an in-service stressor and noting multiple psychiatric diagnoses other than PTSD.

The veteran seeks service connection for a depressive disorder, secondary to his service-connected tinnitus. The Board is remanding the case for further development and review.