Depression decisions — 2001

The appellant's disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and hypertension, are sufficient to warrant a permanent and total disability rating for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent effective February 24, 2000. The RO granted an increased rating for his condition.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic major depression and assigned a 10% disability rating for the veteran's dermatitis.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not entitled to a special monthly allowance based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to her disabilities, as she does not meet the criteria outlined in VA regulations.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities (HNP with PO L4-L5 laminectomy/discectomy and depression) currently prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the veteran's herniated disc, effective from the date of the decision. The service connection for depression was not severed as requested.

The veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his pain disorder (claimed as depression) is dismissed due to failure to file a timely Substantive Appeal. The other issues are addressed, but the appeal for the higher initial evaluation for the pain disorder is dismissed.

The veteran's atypical depression and vascular/muscle tension headaches are both rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating for these conditions.

The veteran died of renal cell carcinoma, and the Board found that he was not entitled to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 because his death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and he did not meet any of the conditions for entitlement as per the regulations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for alcoholism with depression and nervousness, as well as a compensable rating for residuals of a right wrist fracture. The veteran's alcoholism is not considered service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to a service-connected disorder. His right wrist disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable VA rating schedules.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a heart disorder, finding no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, and also found that he is not entitled to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent, as his symptoms did not warrant the more severe ratings associated with greater occupational and social impairment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder, arthritis, a bilateral knee condition, and anxiety with major depression. The evidence submitted since the February 1997 decision is not new and material.

The veteran's major depression has been rated at 100 percent since April 1996, indicating the highest disability rating due to her significant functional impairment.

The Board has found that the veteran's diagnosed dysthymia is etiologically related to his service-connected seizure disorder and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depression, finding that his symptoms were not related to military service or radiation exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depression and pain disorder are at least in part due to his service-connected knee and back disabilities, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The issue is now on the merits.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for schizophrenia and depression, finding new evidence that supports a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia incurred during his initial period of active military service.