Depression decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that further development is needed to properly assess the veteran's claims, including considering the presumption of soundness and any potential service connection for Gulf War vaccinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development and the need for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including depressive disorder, vision disorders, headaches, and stomach disorders. The veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and migraine headaches. The case will be remanded to obtain relevant medical records and to schedule VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for major depression with psychotic features due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's depressive disorder did not begin during or as a result of his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The claim of CUE in the August 2001 rating decision denying a TDIU was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, COPD, and bilateral hallux valgus with bunions. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's current disabilities are due to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident during service, which was caused by his willful misconduct. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric condition is not related to service or his service-connected low back disability, and thus denied the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a medical opinion to differentiate between symptoms of major depressive disorder and fibromyalgia. The veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and an increased rating for major depressive disorder are pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records from Social Security Administration.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of depression and the preponderance of post-service competent evidence does not support a finding of service connection for depression.

The veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent from July 2, 2002 to August 17, 2006. The VA has granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent for the veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not entitled to an effective date earlier than September 9, 2002 for service-connected asthma. The claims of entitlement to service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and depression are remanded for additional development.

The Board has decided in favor of the veteran, granting service connection for major depressive disorder.

The veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder and major depression, and bilateral hearing loss were denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The veteran's claim for service connection for depression (dysthymic disorder) is granted. The Board found that post-service medical evidence, including various VA treatment references to 'early onset' dysthymic disorder and a March 2003 finding by a VA treating professional indicating a link between the veteran's Vietnam experiences and his depression, combined with service medical records showing reports of nervousness and feelings of depression for some time, supports the claim.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder and depression is currently rated at 70 percent, which meets the criteria for a 70 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 9411. The claim for increased ratings for psoriasis, right foot bunionectomy, and left foot bunionectomy was denied as there is no evidence of current hammertoes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and issuing a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) on the issue of an increased rating for schizoaffective disorder.