Depression decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depression with mood congruent psychotic features warrants a 100 percent evaluation, while his chronic asthmatic bronchitis is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back disorder and found it well grounded. The veteran's current low back disorder is related to his military service, and he also contends that his nervous disorder with depression, sleep disorder, indigestion, and motion sickness are all related to this back problem.

The Board found no evidence of a current acquired psychiatric disability present during or within one year after service, and concluded that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to her military service.

The veteran's TDIU was granted effective March 16, 2000. The RO found that the veteran had met the schedular criteria for consideration of a TDIU claim and there was evidence of current service-connected unemployability in his claims file.

The veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, as a result of sexual trauma is plausible and the appeal is allowed.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected anxiety disorder and hypertension have been granted, with a 30 percent rating for the anxiety disorder effective from December 20, 1994.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking his current psychiatric disability, diagnosed as dysthymic disorder and major depression, to any incident of service.

The Board denied service connection for reflex sympathetic dystrophy and depression, finding no new evidence to support the claims.

The Board found that the veteran's symptoms did not manifest until after his service in Southwest Asia and were not supported by cognizable evidence showing they are due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for depression, secondary to his service-connected low back strain with limitation of motion, finding that the claim was not well grounded.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including skin disease on the back, scalp, and shoulders; sleep disorder, nervous condition, and depression; acute abdominal pain; prostate disorder; and numbness of arms and fingers. The claims were not well-grounded due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The case is being remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining medical examinations and addressing the SSA's decision on total disability.

The veteran's compensation benefits are properly apportioned for his two minor children, as he is not reasonably discharging his responsibility to support them.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected major depression, currently rated at 50 percent.

The veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation for his psychiatric disorder, which is secondary to hearing loss and tinnitus, was granted. The case also addressed the issue of TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim of a higher rating for her service-connected major depression was granted, with the current rating of 70% being maintained.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for a depressive disorder as secondary to her service-connected skin disability (vitiligo) is not well grounded due to lack of evidence of current depression.

The veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent for the period from May 18, 1995 to December 31, 1997 and at 40 percent for the period from January 1, 1998 forward. His major depression is rated at 100 percent.

The Board has found that the veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Major Depression, are related to his military service. The claim is granted.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder as secondary to the coronary artery disease, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence. The veteran's heart attack during active duty training was not considered service-connected.