Depression decisions — 2002

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise regarding whether the veteran's diagnosed dysthymia was aggravated by his service-connected myofascial pain syndrome of the lumbar spine, warranting service connection for a psychiatric disability secondary to this condition.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability due to new and material evidence submitted since the final June 1981 decision. The claim is now considered on its merits.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current acceptable diagnosis of PTSD and his depressive disorder is not linked to service. Therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disorder was denied.

The veteran's nerve damage of the left upper extremity is presumed to have been incurred in service. The effective date for TDIU was determined to be June 15, 2000. The reduction of the rating for depressive disorder from 10 percent to non-compensable is granted as of September 15, 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected anxiety reaction does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The veteran's schizophrenia warrants a 70 percent evaluation, and he is not entitled to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic depressive disorder, initially manifested during active service, is service-connected.

The Board denied the claim that the veteran's death was due to inadequate VA treatment, finding that the treatment provided did not cause his suicide.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder is proximately due to his service-connected residuals of a fracture of the right ankle, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's service-connected major depression due to brain injury with PTSD symptoms is currently rated at 50 percent, and the RO has assigned a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's major depression is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected bone cyst of the right shoulder, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The veteran's major depression has been manifested by disturbances of motivation and mood, difficulty establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. The RO granted service connection for major depression with a disability rating of 30 percent.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding the initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for low back disability due to lack of a timely substantive appeal. The veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, depression, arthritis of the hips, and loss of bladder control are denied as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service. Claims for new and material evidence regarding left knee disorder, cardiovascular disability (manifested by hypertension with chest pain and syncope), and PTSD were also denied due to lack of new or significant evidence.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder was reopened and granted effective July 28, 1989. He is currently rated at 50 percent for his generalized anxiety disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, finding that there was no medical evidence linking his current psychiatric conditions to incidents of service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including a skin disorder, peripheral neuropathy involving all extremities, osteoarthritis involving all joints, residuals of multiple back surgeries for degenerative disc disease, residuals of right shoulder surgery, residuals of left ankle surgery, stroke, lipoma of the left side, and depression, are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a direct connection to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a neuropsychiatric disorder. The evidence indicates that his current disability from a neuropsychiatric disorder is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a right shoulder injury, rib disorder, and depression. The RO also declined to find that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and left leg disorder.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30% disability evaluation for service-connected depression was granted, but her claim for an earlier effective date for a 50% disability evaluation was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a nervous disorder and PTSD, finding that new evidence did not constitute material to reopen her claim. The Board also determined that her PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.