Depression decisions — 2007

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss of the left ear, venous insufficiency of the left leg, stomach disability (irritable bowel syndrome and gastro-esophageal reflux disease), chronic fatigue syndrome, and a nervous condition (post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and a sleeping disorder).,The VA found no evidence to support service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient reasons and bases provided in the previous decision regarding service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a verified in-service stressor for PTSD, and there is no evidence of a depressive disorder during service or within the presumptive period. Therefore, service connection for both conditions cannot be established.

The veteran was granted service connection for major depression and OCD effective September 23, 2002, with a 100% rating.

The Board finds that the veteran's major depression had its clinical onset during service and as likely as not contributed to his death, granting service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of prostatitis, headache disorder, or depression. The VA medical examination revealed current diagnoses of gastrointestinal disorder (GERD) and sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea).

The veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, depression, and a sleep disorder with fatigue and weakness is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding his employability with consideration of his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's depressive disorder is not related to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 30 percent for panhypopituitarism with depression, secondary to clivus chordoma tumor from January 25, 2001 onwards.

The veteran's service-connected depressive and dysthymic disorders are currently evaluated at a 50 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available for these conditions. The RO has granted increased evaluations for her service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for Huntington's disease and for nonservice-connected pension benefits. The decision found that Huntington's disease is a hereditary condition not related to the appellant's service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records, including from the VA hospitals in New Orleans and Washington D.C., as well as Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The case will be reviewed again after this information is obtained.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have been denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The veteran was not granted any benefits as a result.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, right hand tremor, breathing problems, a cyst on the spine, hypertension, left leg neuropathy, anxiety and depression, heart condition with bundle branch block, and degenerative arthritis of the back.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions of residuals of a head injury, to include depression and anxiety, were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Baptist Health System and Riverside County Hospital.

The Board finds that the veteran's acquired psychotic disorder, including PTSD symptoms, was manifested to a degree of ten percent or more within one year of his date of separation from service and grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both legs and depression were granted. However, his requests for increased ratings for cold injuries to the right leg and left leg remain denied.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, or recurrent pneumonia. The veteran's current psychiatric disorders are not linked to her military service.