Depression decisions — 2007

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The specific issues of service connection are still pending.

The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for service connection of major recurrent depression and challenges the finality of a November 1971 rating decision denying service connection. The case is being remanded to address both issues.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including his personality disorder and bipolar disorders, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence did not establish a nexus between any current psychiatric condition and service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the veteran currently has PTSD and whether his bipolar disorder is related to his service-connected seizure disorder.

The veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for hypertension, depression, and arthritis of the left shoulder. Other claims remain pending.

The Board found that the veteran's depression is not attributable to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's medical expenses incurred at SouthCrest Hospital on December 2, 2003 were not covered by VA because prior authorization was not obtained and there was no emergency condition warranting immediate treatment.

The veteran's tinnitus is likely attributable to service secondary to noise exposure, and the Board finds that the veteran has established service connection for this condition. The heart condition and depression are found to be less likely related to service.

The Board found no evidence of chronic fever or an undiagnosed illness resulting in chronic fever during service or within one year after separation. Service connection for back pain, joint pain, decreased hearing, decreased vision, breathing difficulties, headaches, and liver and abdominal pain were also denied as they did not meet the specific requirements of the Persian Gulf War provisions.

The Board has granted service connection for a major depressive disorder as secondary to residuals of radical retropubic prostatectomy for prostate cancer.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional evidentiary development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran is also required to provide any necessary releases for these records.

The Board found that the veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and there is no competent medical evidence or opinion establishing an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD related to his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD, was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection, secondary service connection, and depression due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the relationship between the veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records, unverified stressors, and need for a VA examination. The veteran's claims for anxiety/depression and PTSD are pending.

The Board and the RO denied service connection for cervical spondylosis and fibromyositis of the trapezius muscles, and major depression. The veteran's new evidence was not considered material to reopen these claims.

The veteran's PTSD results in significant symptoms such as depression, anxiety, nightmares, and a sense of hopelessness. The Board has determined that the disability warrants an initial rating of 30 percent.

The Board has ordered a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the veteran has depression and whether it is related to his service-connected disabilities. The case will be reconsidered based on all evidence received.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Major Depressive Disorder is related to his period of military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right knee disability related to his military service and finds no evidence of a compensable cervical spine disability. The claims for depression, left arm peripheral neuropathy, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and COPD/asthma are deferred pending completion of development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for spondylolysis with anterolisthesis of the lumbar spine and for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for depressive disorder. The veteran was granted service connection for these conditions, but his claim for increased ratings was denied.