Depression decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and his claim for TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a psychiatric examination.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain records from various healthcare providers and will review the claims again after receiving these records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected depression was granted, with a 50 percent disability rating. The issue of entitlement to an effective date earlier than March 20, 2007 for TDIU is being remanded.

The Veteran's left hip fracture and depression are found to be related to the VA treatment he received, which resulted in additional disability. The proximate cause of this additional disability is deemed to be due to VA's fault.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an ulcer disorder of the legs and depression, finding that there is no evidence to support these conditions as being incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated VA treatment records and conduct a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The claim for a lumbar spine disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence, while the other claims remain pending.

The Board denied reopening of claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, major depressive disorder, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran's hypertension and plantar fasciitis are not rated as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus. The Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his combined rating of 60 percent from his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran died from a gunshot wound to the neck and depression. The Board found no evidence of service-connected PTSD or depression, and denied service connection for cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any of the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran is not entitled to a higher disability rating for residuals of prostate cancer prior to April 4, 2005 or since April 4, 2005.,The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a low back disorder and depression were denied, while his claim for an increased evaluation for urticaria with hives and pruritis was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening the previously denied claim for service connection of a low back disorder or warranting an increase in the evaluation for urticaria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of asbestos exposure and major depressive disorder with psychotic features (claimed as depression, anxiety, paranoia, obsessive compulsive disorder, and hypochondria) is denied because there is no competent medical evidence that the Veteran currently has any residual disability from asbestos exposure or a psychiatric condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran lacks mental capacity to manage his own affairs and is therefore incompetent for VA benefit purposes.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, depression, and/or PTSD. The Veteran's claim was also denied regarding neurologic and neuropsychological signs and symptoms being the result of an undiagnosed illness.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and depression, as the claimed stressor was not verified and the Veteran's account of events was deemed incredible.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders did not manifest during or within one year after service and are not related to any aspect of active duty or active duty for training.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for chronic sinusitis was granted, and he was awarded service connection for depression and sleep apnea (claimed as sleep problems) due to an undiagnosed illness related to his Gulf War service. The low back disorder claim is pending.