Depression decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for insomnia, headaches, depression and anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome, loss of motion, and frequent sore throats as these conditions are considered to be symptoms of his service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the claimed conditions, including COPD, hypertension, arthritis, dysthymic disorder, peptic ulcer disease, polyarthralgia, and hypothyroidism. The veteran's service medical records did not show any complaints or treatment related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and Social Security Administration records, evaluating the veteran's psychiatric condition, and clarifying his representation.

The Board found no credible supporting evidence for the veteran's claimed in-service stressors, particularly regarding unloading caskets and seeing bodies from the Jonestown Massacre. As a result, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The right knee disorder is rated at 40 percent disabling, while the anxiety disorder with depression is rated at 30 percent.

The VA determined that the veteran's claimed conditions were not due to carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill in providing medical treatment. The decision was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including generalized anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The preponderance of evidence is against the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to verify an in-service accident and determine if it caused a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder warrants a disability rating of 70 percent, but not higher.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for residuals of a fracture of the ninth left rib and service connection for low back disorder and depression, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, as new and material evidence was submitted. The claim is now considered to be substantiated.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected anxiety and depression resulted in little, if any, occupational or social impairment with symptoms that were mild or transient and controlled by medication taken as needed. The cervical spine disability was rated at 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and a VA psychiatric examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for authorization of special mode transportation benefits due to lack of medical need as defined by VA guidelines, despite his service-connected disabilities and blindness.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of in-service stressors and a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the veteran's PTSD is related to his service.

The Board has determined that additional efforts should be made to contact the veteran and obtain more specific information regarding his claimed inservice stressors. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that service connection for bipolar disorder and depression is not warranted. The claim to reopen the finally decided claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability (previously claimed as herniated discs) was denied.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for the veteran's depression and anxiety, associated with residuals of prostate cancer, finding that his symptoms are consistent with a moderate level of impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pancreatitis and depression are not attributable to his military service, including ACDUTRA in the Army National Guard.