Depression decisions — 2003

The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and depression, were not incurred in or aggravated by military service due to lack of verified stressors.

The Board denied the claim for an earlier effective date for DIC benefits, finding that no communication expressing a desire to claim DIC benefits based on the cause of the veteran's death was received at the RO prior to November 23, 1999.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for a VA psychiatric evaluation and compliance with notification and development action requirements.

The veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, seizure disorder, and hysterectomy were denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent disability rating, reflecting occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, near continuous panic or depression affecting function, impaired impulse control, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and an inability to establish effective relationships.

The veteran's death was caused by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, not related to service. The Board found no evidence that any disability related to service contributed substantially or materially to cause his death.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The veteran is asked to provide any relevant medical records and information about his treatment, particularly from VA facilities and non-VA providers.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current psychiatric disability related to his military service, and therefore cannot establish service connection for any acquired psychiatric disorder or personality disorder. The Board also found no evidence of a psychosis within one year post-service separation.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression and diabetes mellitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated as 30 percent disabling. The Board has determined that the disability picture more nearly approximates a 50 percent rating due to occupational and social impairment.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for depression, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current psychiatric condition and his military service.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence and clarification. The case is now being remanded for a thorough review and examination of the veteran's claims.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected anxiety neurosis with headaches does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it is currently evaluated at 30 percent.

The Board determined that there is no evidence to support a link between the veteran's service-connected disabilities (deafness, Meniere's syndrome, and depression) and his cause of death from metastatic carcinoma. The claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound, thus denying her claim for special monthly pension benefits.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a service-connected disability that contributed to his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection of the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of major depressive disorder, finding that the earliest effective date was February 3, 1999.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic major depression was incurred in active service and granted service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral leg and knee disability and depression, finding that these conditions did not begin during or as a result of his military service.