Depression Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and schizoaffective disorder are being remanded due to the need for special procedures in handling personal assault allegations. The case is also being returned to allow a full year response period as per recent court decisions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence received by the RO.

The veteran's appeals for increased rating and total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected conditions were denied. The Board found that additional development was needed, including obtaining medical records from Drs. Alvarez and Rodriguez and scheduling a VA mental examination.

The veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent disabling, and hepatitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right wrist fracture and major depressive disorder, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The appellant's current diagnoses were not linked to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability resulting from service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing her with proper notice under the VCAA. The TDIU claim will be adjudicated again after the necessary steps are taken.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The decision is based on the evidence in the record, including the veteran's psychiatric disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, major depression, and mixed personality disorder. The hearing loss claim was also denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims of service connection for asthma and major depression, finding new and material evidence. The veteran is now entitled to a de novo review of her claims.

The VA has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and assigned an initial 10 percent disability rating, effective January 2, 1997. The veteran is now seeking a higher initial rating.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence and clarification. The case is now being remanded back to the RO for specific actions including verifying service dates, obtaining medical records, and informing the veteran of what evidence he needs to submit.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The issues of entitlement to service connection for fatigue, headaches, memory loss, sleep disorder, depression, nightmares, flashbacks, irritability, anger, anxiety, and skin rash have also been reopened.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, conducting medical examinations, and issuing a supplemental statement of the case. The issue of a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain will also be addressed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service. As a result, the claims for secondary service connection for liver damage and depression are denied.

The Board granted a staged rating of 70 percent for the veteran's major depressive disorder, effective November 20, 1996. The other issues were either denied or not addressed in detail.

The Board has granted service connection for depression as secondary to the veteran's service-connected nephrolithiasis with chronic pyelonephritis and hypertension or osteoporosis. The claim for an increased rating of 20 percent for osteoporosis is also granted.

The Board has ordered additional development as the veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is incomplete due to inadequate notice and examination. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for a medical opinion regarding the adequacy of care provided at VA facilities.