Depression decisions — 2002

The Board found that the veteran did not have any service-connected disabilities related to his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The Board denied all claims for service connection as well as the claim for TDIU due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The case is remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing and notifying the veteran of consequences for failing to appear without good cause.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation to 50 percent for the veteran's service-connected schizophrenic reaction, unclassified, effective July 2001.

The veteran's disabilities, including Parkinson's disease and dementia with depression, do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for alcoholism and depression as secondary to alcoholism due to a lack of legal merit, as VA compensation benefits for alcoholism are precluded by law.

The Board has granted service connection for depression and traumatic arthritis of the shoulders, both presumed to be related to the veteran's time as a prisoner of war. Service connection for ischemic heart disease was denied due to lack of current evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for major depression, finding that there is no relationship between his current psychiatric symptoms and those noted during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depression is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The additional evidence includes diagnoses of PTSD related to the veteran's Gulf War experiences.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for major depressive disorder was denied. The appeal for dependents' educational assistance prior to January 4, 2000 was also denied. However, the Board granted an effective date of May 22, 2001 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and degenerative disc disease. Service connection was not granted for hypertension due to lack of evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for depression and schizophrenia, finding that there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 50 percent for the veteran's psychiatric disability, effective from June 19, 2002. The earlier effective date and unemployability claims are also addressed.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with depression, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's TDIU was granted effective from June 7, 2000. The RO found that the veteran had been marginally employed due to his service-connected disabilities since January 1, 2000.

The veteran's PTSD and associated major depressive disorder have been rated at a 70 percent level, effective from the date service connection was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for depression, arthritis of the lumbar spine, arthritis of the left ankle, and arthritis of the right ankle. The veteran's currently diagnosed conditions are considered to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to assess his low back disability, loss of use of a creative organ, dental condition, and service-connected depression. The RO will then re-adjudicate these issues.

The veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically major depression and bipolar disorder, was productive of occupational and social impairment prior to March 23, 2000. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 70 percent.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes was denied due to the combined rating of his nonservice-connected disabilities not meeting the threshold for a total disability rating.