Depression decisions — 2000

The veteran's unemployability is due to his nonservice-connected disabilities, which do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating.

The veteran's depression and dysthymia are found to have originated during his period of active service, while the PTSD is considered a direct result of service. The claim for increased rating for PTSD is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has determined that the appellant's need for regular aid and attendance of another person is established, based on her inability to keep herself clean and presentable. The claim is granted.

The Board denied an effective date earlier than May 15, 1995, for a total disability evaluation for major depression. The RO granted the evaluation based on evidence from May 15, 1995, and found no increase in disability within one year prior to that date.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus is not service-connected and denied his claim for depression as it was not well-grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a seizure disorder secondary to his service-connected low back disorder and for an increased rating for major depressive disorder. The effective date for total disability based on individual unemployability was set at March 19, 1996.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension on account of being housebound is denied as he does not meet the requirements due to his disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a depressive disorder and the evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of bilateral bunionectomy with post-surgical changes, finding that the veteran's pre-existing conditions did not warrant service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current chronic major depression is etiologically related to her service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The decision grants service connection for depression but denies it for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disability, claimed as an adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression is not well-grounded.

The veteran's claim for a psychiatric disability, including depression, has been found plausible. His low back disability is determined to be secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The veteran's left knee disability meets the criteria for a 60% evaluation.

The Board finds that the veteran's current psychiatric diagnoses have not been shown to be related to active service and there is no verified in-service stressor. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is denied.

The Board found no evidence of a well-grounded claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder affecting a gastrointestinal condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for manic depressive disorder and PTSD, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for an increased rating for major depression with anxiety disorder and service connection for peptic ulcer disease secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that some of the veteran's claims are well grounded, while others lack sufficient supporting medical evidence to be considered plausible.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety reaction but denied the claim of service connection for a back disability due to lack of evidence supporting its onset during service. The case is remanded for further development regarding the back disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher evaluations and earlier effective dates, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of the current ratings or an effective date prior to July 31, 1997. The veteran was granted total disability based on individual unemployability as of July 31, 1997.

The Board found that the appellant's claims of service connection for endometriosis, lumbosacral strain, and major depression were not well-grounded due to lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to her military service.