Depression Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for depression as secondary to his service-connected bilateral foot disability, and denied entitlement to increased ratings for his right and left hallux valgus disabilities. The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral pes planus was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current anxiety and depression are secondary to his service-connected physical disabilities.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeals for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left foot bunionectomy and osteotomies and a rating in excess of 10 percent for major depressive disorder. As such, these issues are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to timing issues in providing VCAA notice and additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD with depression and an increased rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae. The claim of service connection for PTSD was denied due to a lack of verified stressors, while the claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae was denied as there is no evidence showing that it has worsened since August 29, 2002.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining more specific information about the veteran's activities in Vietnam and scheduling a comprehensive psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have PTSD or depression as a result of any incident of military service and therefore, denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied all service connection claims, finding that the veteran's conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service and did not have a nexus to any service-connected disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if his current psychiatric disorders are related to service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for atherosclerotic heart disorder will also be addressed.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for depression. The veteran's psychiatric disorder is no more than mildly disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for depression and anxiety attacks due to chemical nerve gas exposure, finding that there was no evidence demonstrating a causal relationship between his current disability and active service.

The veteran seeks special monthly compensation for need for aid and attendance or being housebound, which is inextricably intertwined with her claim for service connection for reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD). The case must be remanded to the RO for adjudication of both claims.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of 10 percent for service-connected major depression is being remanded due to the need for proper notice regarding the assignment of effective dates and other necessary development.

The Board found that the veteran's psychiatric disorder, primarily manifested by anxiety and depressed mood, did not meet the criteria for a higher disability evaluation.

The Board has granted an increased rating to 30 percent for the veteran's residuals of a right wrist injury (carpal tunnel syndrome) and found that a higher rating is not warranted for his depressive disorder.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current disability of depression, headaches, or weakness of the upper extremities related to his periods of service or service-connected cervical paravertebral myofasciitis. As such, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected COPD and depression did not cause or contribute to his death, as there was no evidence of a causal connection between these conditions and his suicide.

The Board has granted service connection for internal hemorrhoids due to aggravation during service. The issue of service connection for depression secondary to a low back disability is remanded for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for depression secondary to service-connected disabilities, effective October 29, 2002. The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date.