Depression decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran currently suffers from PTSD as a result of non-combat stressors experienced during his second period of active service, and grants the claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder did not play a role in his death, nor was it causally related to any of the conditions that led to his death. The Board denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of death and the DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for PTSD or major depressive disorder, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disability, characterized as major depression, is related to his period of active service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hepatitis C, depression, or kidney disability. The evidence was insufficient to establish a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board denied service connection for low back disorder, right knee disorder, hypertension, tuberculosis, and psychiatric disorder. The veteran's claims were not supported by competent evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of polysubstance abuse with psychosis. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence linking any diagnosed condition to service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability and granted service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that new evidence supports a link between the veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and her military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, dysthymia, major depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and low back pain. The claim for service connection of a back injury was reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities remains unresolved.

The veteran's somatization disorder with depression is found to be due to disease or injury incurred in service, and service connection for this condition has been granted.,The veteran's service-connected psychophysiologic gastrointestinal reaction (gastrointestinal ulcer) has been rated at the maximum 70 percent disability level under Diagnostic Code 9424.

The Board found that the earliest date at which it is ascertainable that the criteria for a 100 percent disability rating were met was August 9, 2002. The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of a 100 percent disability rating for major depressive disorder was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 2, 1991 for a 100% evaluation of her service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to unresolved issues regarding the veteran's claimed stressors, and further development is needed.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for conversion reaction is denied as he does not currently experience symptoms or meet the criteria for a diagnosis of conversion reaction, and his other nonservice-connected psychiatric disabilities are unrelated to his service in the military.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, bilateral wrist, and bilateral knee disabilities, as well as depression and fatigue. The evidence does not support a finding of chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness or direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to provide proper VCAA notice and for additional development of the claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depression and PTSD, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The appeal is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's headaches were caused by her service-connected cervical spine disability, and her depression was incurred in service. The skin rash, lower abdominal condition and nausea, and fatigue, fever, and chills are not service connected.