Depression decisions — 2010

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, a skin disorder, muscle and joint pain, and depression. Service connection was granted for the left ring finger scar with an initial noncompensable evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and verifying in-service stressors. A psychiatric examination will be conducted to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions, and a hepatitis C examination will also be conducted.

The Board found no medical nexus between the Veteran's current anxiety and depression disorders and his in-service difficulties, thus denying service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the Veteran's legs, and denied his claim for service connection for leg pain. The issues of entitlement to service connection for headaches and depression were also addressed but are not specified in detail.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board finds that the Veteran's major depressive disorder without psychotic features and generalized anxiety disorder are related to service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions were not incurred in or caused by his military service and a psychosis may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain verification of in-service stressors and to schedule a VA examination for an assessment of the Veteran's psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxiety/insomnia and costochondritis are established as service-connected. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain with idiopathic scoliosis, the claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) secondary to interstitial cystitis, and the claims for separate compensable evaluations for vulvodynia prior to May 4, 2007 are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no new and material evidence. The decision is final based on the evidence at that time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder with sleep disturbance is at least as likely as not related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation of his depressive disorder was granted, with an effective date of November 27, 2006. The current rating is 50 percent.

The Veteran's pes planus and bunionectomy residuals are rated as 10 percent each, with a separate 10 percent rating for degenerative joint disease in the left great toe. The Veteran is granted these ratings.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, is currently rated at 50 percent disabling. The evidence shows significant impairment in social and occupational functioning but not to the extent warranting a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is related to his service and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence in order to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the criteria for entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder were denied because the Board found that there was no credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors or other events to support these diagnoses. The claim for service connection for PTSD is further denied due to a lack of combat verification.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of congestive heart failure during or within one year after service, and the claim was not related to any service-connected disability.