Depression decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of major depressive disorder and finds that it is not related to his service-connected disabilities. As such, the claim for service connection for major depressive disorder is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cerebrovascular disease with residual eye disability and depression is not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including providing proper VCAA notice and obtaining SSA records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA medical records, scheduling a psychiatric examination, and providing corrective VCAA notice.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than anxiety disorder, and also denied his request for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for his anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA psychiatric specialist examination to determine if the veteran's pre-existing psychiatric disorder was aggravated by in-service sexual harassment and to provide an opinion on whether her current psychiatric condition is related to service.

The Board has ordered a remand for additional development, including verification of service and an examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including depression, hearing loss, a rash of the groin area, and memory loss (claimed as memory block), were not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology after service for any of these conditions.

The veteran's PTSD claim has been reopened with new evidence, but his depression claim remains denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hyperlipidemia was denied as the condition is not a disability for VA compensation purposes. The Board also notes that further examination may be needed to determine if hypertension and hiatal hernia are related to service.

The veteran's PTSD is characterized by significant impairment, including anxiety, depression, nightmares, hypervigilance, irritability, and problems with concentration. The VA has granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records to determine the current severity of the veteran's PTSD with depression and right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to unclear etiology of his current psychiatric disorders and potential TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and onset of any psychiatric disorder, including whether it existed prior to service or was aggravated during service. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The veteran is seeking service connection for depression that he believes was caused by his migraine headaches and temporomandibular joint syndrome. The VA has not obtained all of the veteran's medical records, particularly those from San Diego VAMC related to his mental health issues. Additionally, an examination is needed to determine if there are any current mental health disorders and their relationship to service-connected conditions.

The VA determined that the veteran's generalized anxiety disorder with depression warrants a 50 percent rating, reflecting significant impairment but not meeting criteria for higher ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and depression secondary to hepatitis C, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the evidence submitted subsequent to the January 2002 denial of service connection for a back disability is not new and material, and thus the claim remains denied. The veteran's subluxation of the ribcage and impotence are found to be related to his service-connected disabilities, but no right side muscle injury or depression was established as secondary to any service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, finding that the veteran's current condition had its onset during service. Service connection was denied for memory loss due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding no competent medical evidence linking his service-connected major depressive disorder to his death or to his underlying respiratory conditions.