Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case to determine if the veteran's depressive disorder is related to his service-connected lumbar spine, left knee and right shoulder disabilities.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a mental condition claimed as bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records and other relevant medical history.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a video-conference hearing at the RO. Service connection claims for PTSD, hypertension (due to exposure to Agent Orange and as secondary to diabetes mellitus), and depression are pending.

The veteran's major depression has been rated at 50 percent prior to April 24, 2007 and at 70 percent since then. The decision is mixed as some issues have resulted in a grant of higher ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of increased rating for generalized anxiety with depression, service connection for heart disability, and residuals, bilateral frozen ears. The claim to reopen a previous denial regarding residuals, bilateral frozen feet was also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's currently diagnosed depression is not etiologically related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of schizophrenia or PTSD, and his depressive symptoms are related to confinement in the prison system. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a disorder manifested by fatigue, headaches, joint pain, depression, and anxiety, diagnosed as compatible with fibromyalgia.

The Board found that major depressive disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder, lumbar strain, and cervical spine disability were incurred in service. The mental health disorder began during his period of active duty due to an incident involving back pain and wrongful accusations. The lumbar strain is related to a diagnosed condition during service, while the cervical spine disability is not related to any aspect of service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected anxiety reaction did not significantly or materially contribute to his congestive heart failure, which resulted in his death. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death was denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. The Board also found that the current psychiatric disorders are likely due to events in service.

The veteran is seeking an increased disability rating for his service-connected psychiatric disability, specifically depression with panic disorder and agoraphobia. The RO has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination to determine the current severity of the condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran currently experiences major depressive disorder, which had initial manifestation during military service. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, is granted.

The Board denied service connection for condyloma acuminatum, depression, sterility, and hypertension as claimed due to herbicide exposure. The veteran's claims were not supported by competent medical evidence demonstrating a current disorder and a link between the disorder and his active service.

The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and concluded that there is no evidence to support his claims for depression and anxiety. The appeals were denied.

The veteran's depression and hepatitis C were granted service connection, with effective dates of October 29, 2004. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability was also granted as of February 12, 2005.

The veteran was granted a TDIU effective August 10, 2001, and service connection for depression with personality changes at that time. The rating assigned is 70 percent.

The veteran was granted a TDIU effective September 8, 1997, due to his service-connected major depression and stomach cancer. The combined rating at that time did not meet the criteria for total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Board found that the appellant's current depression was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and denied his claim for service connection.