Depression decisions — 2001

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under either the old or new VA rating schedules. The claims of service connection for other conditions were denied as they were not well-grounded.

The veteran's claim for service connection for major depression secondary to tinnitus was granted, effective January 22, 1999.

The Board has granted an initial 30 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected dysthymic disorder and major depression, effective from January 1998.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by his service-connected PTSD with major depression, which is a secondary condition. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is granted. Additionally, basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35 is established.

The veteran's claim for service connection for major depression was denied, while his eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35 was granted with a permanent and total disability rating of 100% assigned.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder and dysthymia, finding that the evidence did not demonstrate impairment warranting a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's depressive disorder with insomnia is aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus, and thus grants service connection for this degree of disability.

The Board has granted service connection for encephalitis with headaches and assigned a 10 percent rating. The claims for depression and cognitive disorder were denied as not well grounded.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected PTSD, major depressive disorder, and psychosomatic tension/vascular headaches was denied because the earliest date from which it could be factually ascertainable that an increase in disability occurred is September 24, 1996.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for depression and soft tissue avulsion, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the depression claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a dental condition secondary to his service-connected psychoneurosis anxiety and depression, associated with residuals of a partial gastric resection. The claim for increased rating was also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right hand disorder, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, low back disorder, and psychiatric disorder. The claim for increased rating of cervical spine condition is granted to a 40% disability rating.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for depression and anxiety disorder, finding that new evidence supports this claim. The veteran's current psychiatric conditions are linked to his experiences during atomic weapons testing in service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet, as required for eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Board has granted a higher schedular rating of 40 percent for service-connected fibromyalgia, effective from November 24, 1998. Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome as a manifestation of fibromyalgia is also granted.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for major depression resulting from a VA cardiac catheterization in June 1995 was denied because the claim was not filed within one year of the injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that he is not entitled to such an earlier date.

The Board has remanded the case due to a significant change in the law and the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the veteran with an examination by two psychiatrists who have not previously examined him.

The veteran's appeal is about his service-connected disabilities and whether he should receive higher levels of special monthly compensation based on the severity of his conditions. The RO has ordered additional VA examinations to assess the current level of impairment resulting from his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, but granted a 10 percent evaluation for arthralgia of the cervical spine.