Depression Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not resolved and requires additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for stress and related conditions, as well as a bilateral leg condition. The decision found no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his service or any incident therein.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for major depression was denied, as the earliest ascertainable increase in disability occurred on June 3, 2002. The TDIU claim was granted with an effective date of October 23, 2002.,An effective date prior to June 3, 2002 for service connection for major depression is not warranted due to the regulations governing secondary service connection. An earlier effective date for TDIU based on hearing loss disability was granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to a combined service-connected disability rating of 80 percent due to hypertension as secondary to asthma. The ratings for his other service-connected conditions (asthma, allergic rhinitis with chronic sinusitis, and anxiety-neurosis with depression) were also upheld.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and ensuring that the VA examinations address the issues posed.

The veteran was granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent rating effective from March 1, 2002. The RO also denied service connection for high cholesterol, depression, stomach disorder (Gastroesophageal reflux disease), headaches, sinus disorder (other than deviated nasal septum), residuals of cold injury, and heart disorder.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development of records.

The Board has determined that the appellant is in need of regular aid and attendance due to her health conditions, including Arnold Chiari disorder, degenerative arthritis, and depression. As a result, she qualifies for special monthly dependency and indemnity compensation.

The Board granted a higher initial rating of 50 percent for the major depressive disorder, but remanded the claim for an increased rating for postoperative residuals of a left orchiectomy.

The Board has determined that additional development is required before the issue of service connection for PTSD can be adjudicated. The veteran's claim will be remanded to allow for a VA examination and further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for clarification of the VA examiner's opinion regarding the veteran's psychiatric condition.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has denied service connection for bronchitis, depression with anxiety, PTSD, and a laceration on the forehead as these conditions are not related to military service.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by depression, anxiety, guilt, suicidal ideation, irritability, memory and concentration issues, intrusive memories, exaggerated startle response, hypervigilance, sleep problems, impaired judgment, difficulty in work environment, and social isolation. The Board finds that the criteria for a 70 percent rating have been met.

The veteran's claims for service connection and an increased rating for PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to the veteran's failure to appear at a previously scheduled hearing and his reported medical condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his TDIU rating, finding that September 14, 1999 was the earliest date of factually ascertainable increase in disability due to his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board found no evidence linking hepatitis C, depression, or cervical spine degenerative disc disease to service and denied the claims.

The veteran's claimed psychiatric, right leg, gastrointestinal, and back disorders are not service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for depression, finding no evidence linking his current diagnosis to military service.