Depression decisions — 2000

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current depressive or bipolar disorder and any in-service disease or injury. The claim for service connection was denied as well-grounded claims have not been presented.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The denial of PTSD is based on lack of verified stressors, while the total disability claim is pending as there are no assigned ratings yet.

The veteran's request for waiver of overpayment of nonservice-connected disability pension benefits was denied because it was not filed within the 180-day statutory limit.

The veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, characterized as Major Depression with psychotic features, has resulted in total occupational and social impairment. The Board finds that a 100 percent rating is warranted under the old rating criteria.

The Board found no evidence of a well-grounded claim for service connection for bronchial asthma, chronic rhinitis, or major depression with psychotic features due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that they are not well grounded and thus do not meet the criteria for compensation under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the claim is well-grounded and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is granted.

The veteran's recurrent major depression with agitation and psychotic features is rated at 100 percent, which effectively grants his claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for service connection of muscle strain of the left trapezius was denied, and his claim for an increased rating for major depression was granted at a 30% disability rate. The decision is mixed as it partially grants one issue (increased rating) while denying another (service connection).

The Board denied the claim for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation benefits based on the appellant's alleged status as the helpless child of a veteran, finding that he was not permanently incapable of self-support at 18 years old.

The VA has granted a 70 percent rating for the veteran's depressive disorder, which is manifested by depression, panic attacks, memory loss, impaired impulse control, and an inability to establish effective relationships.

The Board granted service connection for depression and determined that the veteran was entitled to a TDIU effective June 1, 1993 based on his unemployability due to his service-connected mental disability.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for depression/bipolar disorder was not well-grounded and denied it. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder previously claimed as personality disorder or adjustment disorder is dismissed due to lack of appeal.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate is denied due to his inability to meet the criteria, including having a single permanent disability rated 100% disabling.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no competent evidence showing a direct link between the veteran's service-connected conditions and his death.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability evaluation for the appellant's service-connected depressive disorder and postoperative residuals of a spontaneous pneumothorax of the left lung, finding that these conditions are well-grounded and meet the criteria for such evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the severity of the veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder and a need for further clarification from the VA physician who completed a March 1999 report of examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of migraine headaches, right foot bursitis, defective hearing, tinnitus, left knee injury residuals, plantar fasciitis, or depression.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and secondary service connection have been granted. The specific conditions are psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, depression, and geographic tongue.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is not well-grounded because there is no competent medical evidence linking his current psychiatric condition to his time in service.