Depression Board decisions

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for major depression is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The appeal is remanded for a new examination and to obtain legible copies of the veteran's May 2005 and June 2005 records from Dr. Ibzan Perez Munoz.

The veteran's major depression produces symptoms of such severity that it causes total occupational impairment, warranting a 100 percent rating.

The Board remands the claim for further development to verify the veteran's stressor events and obtain a medical opinion regarding the relationship between any verified in-service stressors and the claimed psychiatric disorders.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for hypertension, allergic rhinitis, Raynaud's syndrome, a bladder disorder, a urinary tract disorder, impotency, residuals of a cold injury, depression, PTSD, and an acquired mental disorder other than depression and PTSD. The claims for service connection for a skin disorder of the feet, arms, and legs, and rosacea were denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The appeal is remanded to obtain additional medical records and a medical opinion regarding the veteran's claim for service connection for depression.

The veteran's major depression and PTSD are not shown to be more disabling than contemplated by a 30 percent rating, and the scar on her left foot is not shown to be more disabling than contemplated by a 10 percent rating.

The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected anxiety disorder is being remanded to the RO for additional development and consideration.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder, finding that the veteran's current low back disorders are not related to military service.

The veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression and PTSD, was granted based on the diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service combat stressors.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include dysthymic disorder with major depression and PTSD, was denied as there is no competent medical evidence that shows the claimed conditions were caused by his time in service.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for a personality disorder, claimed as depression; a right knee disorder, claimed as secondary to service-connected disability; and a left knee disorder, claimed as secondary to service-connected disability.

The appeal is remanded to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the veteran's depression and her service-connected right hip and low back disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression, finding that it was not causally related to active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for memory loss, left knee pain (claimed as arthritis), numbness in the arms and legs, and neuropsychiatric disorder (claimed as anxiety and depression) due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or an undiagnosed illness.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing and obtaining new VA examinations.

The Board granted the petition to reopen a final disallowed claim for service connection for major depression but denied the claim on the merits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for back pain, depression, hearing loss, tinnitus, joint aches, headaches, fatigue, and sleep problems.

The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claims for service connection for spinal meningitis, major depressive disorder, and an eye disability. The veteran was also denied attempts to reopen previously denied claims for service connection for residuals of a back injury, a bilateral foot disability, and residuals of right and left knee injuries.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as she was not on active duty during the period of the claimed personal assault.