Depression decisions — 2000

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 10 percent, and the Board has ordered a remand to determine if his current rating accurately reflects his disability severity.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for major depression, an adjustment disorder, and PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for muscle spasm in the chest wall area, claimed as a heart disorder, is not well grounded. The claim of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for major depression was well-grounded and supported by evidence of record.

The Board denied service connection for depression and PTSD, and the claim of a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes due to an ear problem. The RO is instructed to obtain additional medical records, request SSA records, schedule a VA audiometry examination, and readjudicate the case based on the 'average person' and 'unemployability' standards.

The Board found that there was no competent evidence linking the veteran's current depression to his service-connected migraine with history of idiopathic seizures. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of medical evidence linking her conditions to her military service.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current depression and throat disorder to his service, including any psychiatric symptoms from 1978. The claim is denied.

The veteran's depression is attributable to her active military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's major depression/panic disorder is rated at 50 percent disabling, but he does not meet the percentage requirements for entitlement to pension under VA regulations. The Board finds that his disability does not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's combined evaluation for his disabilities is 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for major depression, the most severe level of disability under the pre-November 7, 1996 VA General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Board has determined that the veteran's anxiety disorder with associated depression, diagnosed as PTSD, was incurred in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for the veteran's undiagnosed illness, but denied a higher initial rating. The veteran is entitled to a 10 percent disability rating since November 24, 1995.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for a major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for clarification on the severity of her condition and further examination.

The veteran's claims for a higher rating for his major depression and entitlement to TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The VA Regional Office (RO) has determined that the original grant of service connection for recurrent depression with a generalized anxiety disorder was erroneous due to incorrect diagnosis, and thus severed this benefit. The veteran's current psychiatric condition is now diagnosed as bipolar disorder.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for generalized anxiety disorder with depression and headaches secondary to Hodgkin's disease prior to January 19, 1996.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for generalized anxiety disorder with depression and headaches secondary to Hodgkin's disease prior to January 19, 1996.

The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was secondary to his service-connected back disability and denied TDIU benefits due to lack of evidence showing material improvement in employment capacity. The decision is now considered clearly erroneous.

The Board finds that the veteran was insane during service and at the time he committed misconduct, thus his discharge is not a bar to VA benefits for the period from April 9, 1983 to April 6, 1984.