Depression decisions — 2001

The VA denied a higher rating for the veteran's service-connected major depression, finding that his symptoms did not warrant an increase beyond 30 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's major depressive disorder and recurrent lower back pain with a lumbosacral strain were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claim for increased rating was also denied.

The veteran was found to be unemployable due to his PTSD and major depression, entitling him to a 100% schedular evaluation for these conditions and TDIU effective June 26, 2001.

The Board has remanded the case due to new regulations and the need for additional development, including examinations.

The veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was granted effective from September 3, 1997. The Board found that the earlier date of August 28, 1997, when he signed his application, could not be used as an effective date because it did not meet the requirement of having been received by VA.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's PTSD is due to in-service stressors and finds it incurred during her military service. As a result, the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The veteran's claims for VA compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are denied as the evidence does not show that his VA hospital care, surgical or medical treatment caused him to have a greater degree of depression.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of depression and his hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux is currently evaluated at 10%. The flat feet are also currently evaluated at 10%. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted as requested.

The veteran's service connection claims for hemorrhoids, irregular heart beat, residuals of a right leg injury, ringing in the ears, dizziness and vertigo, prostate disorder, low back disability, and depression have all been granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic-stress-disorder and depression, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence to corroborate his reported in-service stressors. The veteran's psychiatric disabilities were not related to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted. The veteran's claim for an increase in non-service-connected pension benefits was also denied.

The veteran's chronic depression with generalized anxiety disorder and schizoid personality disorder is rated at the highest possible level of disability, a 100 percent rating, effective from June 1991.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for service connection for an anxiety disorder with panic attacks and depression is granted.

The veteran's service-connected low back disorder and major depression rendered him unemployable as of June 10, 1997. His effective date for TDIU is therefore set to that date.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 24, 1984 for a 100% rating for service-connected psychoneurotic reaction, phobic type, anxiety and depression, bipolar disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for depression, finding no competent medical evidence linking his current depression to his active service.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disorders are not shown to be due to or aggravated by his service-connected back disorder, and thus denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board granted a 70 percent evaluation for service-connected psychoneurotic reaction, phobic type, anxiety and depression (bipolar disorder) in June 1987. The decision is considered clear and unmistakable error.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a depressive disorder, concluding that there was no intent to apply for this benefit prior to April 23, 1996.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for PTSD and an increased rating for anxiety disorder with depressive disorder, finding that she did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD related to service and her anxiety disorder is currently rated at its maximum allowable under VA guidelines.