Depression decisions — 2000

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his failure to provide requested information and report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran did not meet the criteria for these conditions based on his military service or any other evidence presented.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) denied the veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes due to his service-connected disabilities, including syncope, COPD, depression, cardiovascular disorders, and sinusitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for major depression with generalized anxiety disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a preexisting condition and that any acquired psychiatric condition did not manifest within one year of separation from service. The Board also found that the submitted articles were insufficient to establish a causal relationship between the claimed conditions and his service.

The Board dismissed the appellant's appeal for service connection of personality disorder. The claim of increased evaluation for depressive disorder was denied, and the claim of tinnitus was granted as incurred in service.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently evaluated at a 30 percent level, and the Board has determined that an increased evaluation is not warranted.

The veteran's major depression, recurrent with mood disorder and anxiety disorder with panic and agoraphobic component is currently rated at 30 percent. The RO has granted a higher rating for this condition.

The veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension including extra schedular entitlement to pension under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. � 3.321(b)(2) is being remanded due to incomplete development and need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and to verify any claimed stressors. The case will be returned for this purpose.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or upon housebound status is denied due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired neuropsychiatric disorder, including depression.

The veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with anxious mood, to include PTSD, is currently rated at 50 percent and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's drug addiction was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and therefore, the claim for service connection for drug addiction is denied.

The VA has granted service connection for PTSD with depression and assigned an initial evaluation of 50 percent. The veteran is now seeking a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for depression as secondary to the service-connected right shoulder disorder. The claimant's current dysthymic disorder is found to be related to his service-connected right shoulder disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and a right ankle disorder. The appeals were also denied regarding headaches, neurological symptoms, skin rashes, and chest pain due to an undiagnosed illness. Service connection was not granted for treatment purposes of an active psychosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depression with panic attacks and agoraphobia, is related to his period of active service. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The VA has granted a 50 percent disability rating for the appellant's generalized anxiety disorder with depression, but the claimant argues that this is not sufficient and seeks an increased evaluation.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for major depressive disorder, hypothyroidism, and both Achilles tendinitis have been granted. However, her claims for increased ratings for right and left patellofemoral pain syndrome remain denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a heart condition, and hemorrhoids. The evidence does not support these claims as there is no current diagnosis of any of these conditions.