Depression decisions — 2005

The veteran requested to withdraw their appeal regarding the higher initial rating for service-connected dysthymia/major depression disorder, which is currently rated at 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's current depression is related to service. The claim will be reconsidered after a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board denied service connection for psychiatric disability, residuals of cholesterolemia, hearing loss, heart disease, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), corneal embolism, and hernia. The evidence did not show a relationship between these conditions and military service.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the rating for the veteran's psychiatric disability from 50 to 10 percent was proper. Since October 24, 2002, his condition is rated at 50 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for varicose veins of the right leg, skin cancer, seborrheic dermatitis, fatigue, depression, cardiac disease, hypertension, and degenerative disc disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine. The preponderance of evidence demonstrated that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for polysubstance dependence, tinea versicolor, and depression. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or any link to service, including exposure to herbicides. The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for depression, as there is no medical or lay evidence showing a link between the veteran's current condition and his military service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for manic depression with paranoia, finding that there is no competent and probative medical evidence indicating a causal relationship between his current psychiatric disorder and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected depressive disorder was not the primary or contributing cause of his death, and denied service connection for the cause of death. The cause of death (massive pulmonary thromboembolism) is considered an acute condition rather than a disability for purposes of establishing service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder with psychotic features and an anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, is proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability (left knee residuals), and his degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine was aggravated by his service-connected left ankle sprain. Both conditions are therefore granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's reported in-service stressors are credible and have been corroborated, allowing for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depression, and anxiety disorder, are related to his service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to differentiate between service-connected and nonservice-connected symptoms.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, finding no evidence of a chronic acquired psychiatric disability in service or within one year after separation from active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder is not due to disease or injury incurred in service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected bulimia nervosa with depression is currently rated at 10 percent, and her multiple scars are also rated at 10 percent. The decision grants the requested evaluations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression and anxiety disorders, is related to his service experiences, particularly a stabbing incident in 1981. The claim was reopened due to new evidence provided by Dr. G.

The Board found that the veteran's depressive disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and denied both his claim for service connection and his request for a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to address the veteran's contentions concerning her psychiatric disability.