Depression decisions — 2000

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes as his combined schedular evaluation is less than 100 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability, fibromyalgia, and PTSD. The claim for depression was reopened but not granted as well-grounded. The rating for hemorrhoids remains at noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a statement of the case regarding the denial of service connection for PTSD. The veteran is entitled to a statement of the case and further development.

The veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities has been established, resulting in the grant of special monthly pension based on this need.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim is well grounded and VA has a duty to assist in its development. The appellant presented medical evidence linking his current disabilities, including bronchiectasis, to his service-connected pneumonia.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected depression with post-traumatic symptoms has been granted, and she is now rated at 50 percent effective from March 1, 1997.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current conditions to her service, thus denying all claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not entitled to a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes due to her nonservice-connected disabilities, as they do not prevent her from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition, hearing loss, and tinnitus are not well-grounded. The claim for secondary service connection for major depression as secondary to ulcer disease is well-grounded. The veteran's current evaluation for his ulcer disease remains at 20 percent.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for special monthly pension benefits due to her income exceeding the statutory limit, and also denied her claim based on unemployability due to her disabilities. The case is remanded for a statement of the case regarding these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for chondromalacia patella of the left knee, but denied service connection for depression and a low back disorder secondary to the veteran's right knee disability.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for a nervous disorder, claimed as depression and anxiety, is not well-grounded because his assertion of having an acquired psychiatric disability related to service is not supported by medical evidence sufficient to render the claim plausible.

The Board determined that the veteran's dysthymia and right ear hearing loss do not warrant increased ratings as they are currently rated, with no evidence of exceptional or unusual disability requiring extra-schedular consideration.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than post-traumatic stress disorder and found it to be well-grounded. The veteran is now entitled to a VA examination to determine if his current psychiatric disability is related to an acquired in-service psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are well-grounded and have been granted. The veteran is now entitled to service connection for headaches, depression, pseudofolliculitis barbae, hypertension, and a gastrointestinal disorder secondary to medication.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, arthritis, and depression as secondary to his service-connected bilateral postoperative hammertoes are not well grounded. The Board also found that the veteran's claim for service connection for depression is well grounded but denied it due to lack of causation.

The Board has restored the veteran's 50% rating for his service-connected major depression, effective February 1, 1985.

The veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue and depression due to an undiagnosed illness was denied as not well grounded.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of service connection for cause of death and eligibility for DEA benefits due to a lack of well-grounded evidence.