Depression decisions — 2004

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder identified as major depression and granted service connection for PTSD. The effective date is not specified.

The veteran's combined service-connected disabilities, which include multiple knee and hip injuries along with arthritis and anxiety/depression, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development and consideration of his claims, including compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD with depression, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The veteran's claims for service connection for low back and skin conditions have not been reopened. Service connection for hypertension has been denied. The status of the remaining issues is pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for major depression and dependent personality disorder as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to a lack of a personal hearing, and requests for more recent VA treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Depression, finding that the conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including left eye glaucoma, right eye uveitis, anxiety disorder (depression), hypertension, and heart disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to address his claims for service connection and an increased rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection for an undiagnosed illness manifested by depression and memory loss, as well as a higher initial evaluation for heat exhaustion and fatigue, were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding no credible verification of a non-combat stressor in service and noting that her psychiatric conditions were diagnosed but not linked to service.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disability, characterized as major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, is due to his active duty military service. As a result, the claim for service connection was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether depression is caused by service-connected leukopenia.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression, had its onset during his period of active service. The hearing loss disability claim is considered to be without a clear basis in service records and thus remains unresolved.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected major depression, with psychotic features, is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the claimed conditions, including myopia, bilateral leg disorder, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, hand cramps, fatigue, lung disorder, chronic depression, or neurological disorder characterized by blackouts. The veteran's complaints were not supported by medical evidence and his claims were denied.

The Board found that the evidence did not show a service connection for PTSD, as appellant's claimed stressors were not verified and could not be presumed to have occurred. The claim was denied.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete records and the need for further examination of the veteran's PTSD. The claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service and any personal assault allegations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 1, 1999, for the award of service connection for anxiety disorder and depressive disorder.