Depression decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD with depression warrants a 50 percent evaluation from November 15, 2000, due to symptoms approximating total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depression is related to his service-connected bilateral foot disability and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for an adjustment reaction and mild depression, as well as the initial evaluations for degenerative disc disease at L5-S1, left knee meniscectomy residuals, and bilateral pes planus.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of May 13, 1996 for a 60 percent evaluation for service-connected lupus erythematosus with depression and multiple arthralgias was granted.

The veteran's anxiety reaction with depression is currently rated at 70 percent disabling since May 1998, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted under either the pre-amendment or post-amendment criteria.

The Board has denied the veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, a psychiatric disorder with depression and/or organic affective disorder, and a back disorder. The evidence submitted was not considered sufficient to reopen the claims.

The Board has found that the veteran's service-connected major depression should not be restored to a higher rating, as there is some material improvement but it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and bipolar disorder) that began during the veteran's active duty. Service connection was also granted for Meniere's disease, which had its onset in service.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder and depression were not well grounded due to insufficient verification of claimed stressors in service.

The Board determined that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a nervous disorder (other than PTSD). The veteran's appeal was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for post-traumatic stress disorder, to include depression, is granted based on evidence showing a link between her in-service trauma and current symptoms.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder, psychosis not otherwise specified, and anxiety disorder not otherwise specified. The evidence does not support a finding that any current psychiatric disability is related to military service.

The veteran was granted a 100 percent rating for his anxiety disorder with depression effective December 18, 1987. The decision also noted that the veteran had been totally disabled and unemployable since filing his claim in December 1987.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, psychiatric disorders, and residuals of a head injury as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his period of active service.

The VA denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that the new evidence submitted was not material.

The veteran's major depression is related to his service-connected low back strain with disc disease. He was granted a rating of 40 percent for his low back disability since December 26, 1991.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for major depression, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The veteran's major depressive disorder is related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The issue of an earlier effective date for the increased rating for bronchial asthma will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication, including addressing an earlier effective date for service connection of major depressive episode with psychotic features.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there is no credible supporting evidence of a stressor related to service. The veteran's current psychiatric conditions are not linked to any verified in-service stressors, leading to denial of both PTSD and chronic depression claims.