Depression decisions — 2001

The Board found that the veteran's depression did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence of a chronic condition for which service connection could be presumed. The claim was denied as not well grounded.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD cannot be granted as there is no medical evidence establishing a direct link between his active military service and his current diagnosed conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's discharge under other than honorable conditions was not due to willful and persistent misconduct, thus allowing him basic eligibility for VA disability and pension benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, to include myofascial pain syndrome and depression, as well as her claim for restoration of a 10 percent evaluation for tinea pedis. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes due to his cardiovascular disease, low back disability, and psychiatric disorder. The appeal is based on the combined effect of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and Chapter 31 vocational rehabilitation file. The veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation of depressive disorder and entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability is pending.

The veteran's limited occupational and educational backgrounds, combined with his psychiatric impairment, render him permanently and totally unemployable. The Board has determined that a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes is warranted.

The veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence and major depressive disorder caused severe impairment in occupational adaptability from December 13, 1991 to October 21, 1998. Since then, the condition has resulted in total occupational impairment.

The veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than December 7, 1994, for service connection for depressive disorder is granted. The RO must review the claims file and ensure that all notification and development action required by VCAA are completed.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected schizoaffective disorder with severe depression, effective from May 20, 2000.

The veteran's claim for service connection for major depression with PTSD was denied in March 1984, and the effective date of an award of service connection is denied as it does not meet the criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, low back pain, hip pain, and depression. Asthma was not found to be related to active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosis of organic affective disorder with depression is attributable to an in-service head injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for prostate disorder, GAD and depression. The RO previously denied his claims to reopen his previously denied claims for dysthymia, schizoid personality and spinal arthritis.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the earliest date of entitlement was March 23, 2000.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder including depression. The veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's depression is part and parcel of his service-connected PTSD, warranting a higher initial rating. The veteran's PTSD with depression now warrants a 70 percent disability evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and initial disability ratings for her psychiatric disorders, mitral valve prolapse, cyst on right breast, and bladder prolapse. The appeals were based on a lack of evidence presented during scheduled examinations.

The veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder, with major depression and a cognitive disorder was granted a 70 percent rating effective January 9, 2001.

The Board denied the appellant's claim as he was not permanently incapable of self-support prior to reaching the age of 18, and therefore could not be recognized as a helpless child of his veteran father.