Depression decisions — 2000

The Board has remanded the case to obtain a clarifying medical opinion regarding when the veteran required aid and attendance, as well as to review the record for compliance with previous remands. The effective date of the special monthly compensation benefits based on need for aid and attendance is set at March 11, 1997.

The veteran's service-connected mental disability (depression, agoraphobia, and panic disorder) is so severe that it impairs her ability to live independently without assistance, prevents her from caring for her daily personal needs, and renders her unable to protect herself from the hazards of daily living. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The veteran's claimed disabilities, including depression, dysthymia, anxiety, psoriasis, hypertension, and low back strain, are not service-connected. The RO found that these conditions are secondary to his alcohol dependence and marijuana abuse.

The Board denied the application to reopen the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disorders, including major depression and intermittent explosive disorder, are denied as her conditions have not been linked to her military service.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed undiagnosed illnesses are not related to service and denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current anxiety disorder with depression had its origin during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at St. Peter's Hospital from April 8, 1998 to April 14, 1998 are now covered by VA due to the nature of his hospitalization being an emergency and he having a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosis of major depressive disorder is related to his service in Saudi Arabia, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include depression and anxiety, concluding that there is no competent evidence of a nexus between her current psychiatric disabilities and service.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for major depression was denied by the RO. The case is being remanded to allow for additional development and consideration.

The Board denied an increased disability evaluation for impotency and did not grant earlier effective dates for service connection or special monthly compensation. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, the residuals of a back injury, and headaches, depression, ulcers, stomach problems, and anxiety attacks due to lack of competent medical evidence establishing these conditions.

The veteran's claim is well-grounded as he has submitted evidence of current disability and competent medical evidence linking his psychiatric symptoms to service. However, the decision on whether service connection should be granted requires further development due to conflicting opinions regarding pre-existing conditions.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 50% for service-connected schizoaffective disorder, finding that the veteran's symptoms have persisted and approximate the criteria for a 50% disability rating.

The Board has granted an increased rating to 70 percent for the veteran's service-connected concussion residuals with chronic headaches and organic brain syndrome with recurrent major depression and explosive behavior, effective June 30, 1999. The right knee disability remains at a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder is not well grounded.,The RO denied service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae in November 1993, finding that the evidence did not show permanent aggravation of a pre-existing condition. The veteran did not appeal this decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depression with psychotic features, began during or is causally linked to an incident of active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder and depression, finding no evidence of a direct or secondary relationship to his military service. The effective date for an increased disability rating for the residuals of spontaneous pneumothorax was also not granted.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for the veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.