Depression decisions — 2004

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death and Dependent's Educational Assistance under Chapter 35, Title 38 of the United States Code due to lack of evidence supporting a diagnosis of PTSD or other conditions that could be linked to active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional service records from the National Personnel Records Center and determining whether the veteran served in Vietnam. The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II, and depression, secondary to diabetes mellitus, Type II, will be reconsidered.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need to obtain additional records, provide VCAA notification, and clarify the effective date of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for various conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder and dysthymic disorder. The appeal is pending further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as anxiety and major depression, was incurred in active service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The veteran's appeal of a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for major depression, subsequent to July 18, 1996, is remanded due to inadequate notice and development.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a lumbosacral spine disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, fibromyalgia, and major depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including furnishing the veteran with proper VCAA notice and scheduling him for VA examinations to assess his right wrist disability and depression.

The veteran is seeking higher initial and current ratings for his service-connected PTSD. The case must be remanded to ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition and did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has determined that the veteran's erectile dysfunction is due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type II. The depression claim remains pending as it was denied in a prior decision.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right and left ankle disabilities. The claim for an increased rating for chronic pain disorder with major depression was denied as there was no evidence showing it met the criteria for a 70% rating.

The veteran's appeal has been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations. The issues of service connection for PTSD and chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches, memory loss, blurred vision, joint aches, insomnia, and depression are being addressed.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, major depression, and PTSD, is linked to his period of active service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the veteran's obsessive-compulsive disorder and major depressive disorder were not incurred in or aggravated during service. The appeal for a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service connected disorders is deferred pending additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of evidence, including verification of stressors and psychiatric examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to her relocation and failure to attend a scheduled hearing.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for depression (claimed as depression, anxiety, and a nervous disorder) due to lack of competent medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The veteran's combined disability rating is in excess of 70 percent, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the RO's decision to sever service connection for depressive disorder, NOS with psychotic features and asymmetry of the lateral ventricles was improper due to a lack of evidence clearly and unmistakably establishing that the veteran does not have a psychiatric disorder as a result of military service.