Depression decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by alcoholic pancreatitis, which in turn was due to his depression. The medical evidence supports the appellant's contention that the veteran's alcohol abuse was a symptom of his depression, which was caused by his service-connected right elbow disability. Therefore, the cause of the veteran's death is considered service connected.

The Board has granted a higher initial evaluation of 50 percent for the veteran's service-connected depressive disorder, effective October 9, 2007.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a neurological disability of the right hand and for higher ratings for bilateral pes planus, major depression, and knee and ankle disabilities.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, specifically depression, as there was no evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that they were not incurred or aggravated by active service and are not proximately due to or the result of service-connected diabetes mellitus Type II.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The evidence does not show that the disability requires any regulation of activities.,For peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity, the evidence shows mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. No higher evaluations are warranted.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and depression, but granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to acoustic trauma in service.

The VA denied a higher rating for major depression, finding that the veteran's symptoms did not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to in-service stressors. The other issues regarding elbow and wrist conditions as well as depression are not addressed due to the need for additional development.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the veteran's claimed anxiety disorder and depression, and denied service connection for these conditions. The Board also found no evidence of a current knee disorder and denied service connection for right and left knee disorders.

The Board has determined that additional development is required to properly adjudicate the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, including a clarification of the specific stressor leading to the diagnosis.

The veteran's service-connected back disability led to his development of depression, which contributed to his atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (which significantly contributed to the cause of his death). With resolution of reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant, service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records. The veteran is also to be provided with a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of any psychiatric disability, particularly bipolar disorder and depression. A VA examination regarding diabetes mellitus will also be conducted.

The case is being remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the nature, extent, and severity of the veteran's service-connected conditions and other issues.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a depressive disorder, claimed as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine, knee, and shoulder conditions is being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service medical records and requests for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to determine if the appellant's current mental disorder is related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression and PTSD, as well as a respiratory disorder, cannot be granted based on the evidence of record. The Board found no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the veteran's claims for PTSD and depression, including verifying stressors and obtaining VA outpatient treatment records.

The Board found no current diagnosis of adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.