Depression decisions — 2006

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination.

The veteran is seeking service connection for depression, seizures, and high blood pressure secondary to his service-connected right thumb disability. He also seeks an increased rating for his right thumb disability and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and there were no pending claims for accrued benefits at the time of his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic headaches and depression, as well as an increased rating for her cervical spine injury, require additional development due to the need for a VA examination and updated medical records.

The Board finds that the veteran's head injury and resulting disabilities were not incurred in the line of duty due to his own excessive alcohol consumption. As such, VA compensation benefits for these conditions are denied.

The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include schizophrenia and major depressive disorder, was not related to his period of active, honorable military service from December 5, 1978 to December 1, 1981.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder is no longer service-connected due to a change in diagnosis. The lumbar spine disability remains at a 40 percent rating, and TDIU is not granted.

The Board is remanding the case to allow for further development and readjudication of the appellant's claims, including providing VCAA notice.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a back disability. The claim to reopen for a psychiatric disorder is granted, but further development is needed as the evidence does not indicate that his current psychiatric condition is related to service.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of depression and TDIU due to lack of factual evidence showing the veteran was unemployable as a result of his service-connected psychophysiologic gastrointestinal reaction during the year prior to May 15, 1997.

The Board has remanded the claim for further examination and opinion regarding whether the veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his service-connected foot disabilities, either as incurred in service or proximately due to such disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by a service-connected psychiatric disability, and thus the appellant is eligible for Dependant's Educational Assistance under Chapter 35 of Title 38 of the United States Code.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depression with psychotic features is not related to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board has denied service connection for a mood disorder and depression, as well as degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder. The veteran's claims were based on his Persian Gulf War service but there is no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected headaches was granted, and he is now rated at 50 percent. The claims to reopen for major depression and hearing loss due to service-connected headaches were also granted.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee meniscectomy residuals and arthritis were denied. The veteran is currently rated at 20 percent for the residuals of a left knee meniscectomy, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5257. He is also rated at 10 percent for his service-connected left knee arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the veteran's depression and its relationship to his service-connected hearing loss.

The veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been granted, and he is now eligible for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for hepatitis C with depression is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination and proper notification.