Depression decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the veteran's psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety disorder, and pain disorder, are at least in part due to his service-connected disabilities.

The VA granted a total rating for compensation purposes by reason of individual unemployability due to service-connected disability effective from November 15, 2000.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the service-connected major depression with history of acute schizophrenic episode, which was previously rated at 30 percent.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected mental disorder and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to this condition. The current level of impairment is considered to be no more than moderate, with occasional social and industrial impairment.

The veteran's claims for service connection for eye disorders, bilateral ptosis, residuals from bacteria after placement of an IUD, premenstrual dysphoria disorder (claimed as depression), and a bilateral knee disorder have all been denied. The denial is based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, currently characterized as depression/anxiety. The decision will now proceed to consider whether this evidence is sufficient to warrant granting service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected major depression with anxiety and panic attacks was denied due to her failure to report for a scheduled VA examination. The available evidence does not warrant an increase in the current 50 percent disability rating.

The Board has restored service connection for the veteran's nonspecific arthralgias and a secondary depressive disorder due to these conditions, as they were initially granted on a presumptive basis for undiagnosed illnesses related to military service in the Persian Gulf.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder warrants a 50 percent rating, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including an ulcer disorder of the legs, hypertension (HTN), arthritis, cuts on the stomach and arms, or depression. The RO's decision is denied.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly allowance based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status, thus denying her claim.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits was granted, with the effective date set at September 15, 1997.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence submitted since the previous denial. The issue of entitlement to service connection will be addressed in a later decision.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been denied. The RO has developed all evidence necessary for an equitable disposition of the veteran's claims.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and major depression, finding that these conditions are proximately due to the veteran's service-connected low back disability.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD warranted a 50 percent evaluation, but denied service connection for major depression as secondary to PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right knee disorder, generalized arthritis, low back pain, and residuals of fusion of the anterior portion of T-10 to T-11. The decision also denied his claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing records and incomplete file, including psychiatric and gastroenterologist examinations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for depression, grand mal epilepsy, residuals of a laceration of the forehead and skull, and residuals of a skull fracture as well as his claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to the veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.