Depression decisions — 2003

The Board has granted service connection for major depression and a total and permanent disability rating for pension purposes, finding that the veteran's symptoms are likely related to his period of active service.

The veteran's claimed conditions were not found to be incurred or aggravated by service, including due to undiagnosed illness from Persian Gulf War service.

The Board has determined that the appellant did not timely file a notice of disagreement with respect to the September 15, 1998 rating decision denying service connection for major depression. As a result, the appeal is denied.

The Board has ordered the RO to obtain updated financial information and health condition details from the veteran. The overpayment amount may be adjusted based on this new information, and the waiver of recovery will then be reconsidered.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depression is a result of his service, specifically the motor vehicle accident he sustained while in active duty. As such, the claim for service connection for major depression is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder, recurrent is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for major depression, currently rated at 70 percent, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and further evidentiary development.

The Board has granted service connection for major depression with psychotic features as secondary to the veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depression, was not well grounded and denied it. The case is now remanded to complete additional development as per the VCAA.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board finds that the evidence supports a favorable disposition of the psychiatric disorder claim, with the veteran diagnosed with a depressive disorder. The examiner opined that it was as likely as not that the veteran's depressive disorder was exacerbated by his service experience.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a field examination.

The Board found no evidence of a diagnosed PTSD and concluded that the veteran's anxiety and depression are not related to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's major depression with PTSD was granted a disability rating of 50 percent from September 3, 1988 to October 4, 1991. His voiding dysfunction was increased to 60 percent effective August 20, 1991 and his post-herpetic zoster neuralgia received the maximum available disability rating of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the effective date for a 70 percent rating for service-connected panic disorder with agoraphobia and history of major depression is September 19, 1996. The earlier effective date for TDIU benefits is denied as there is no evidence showing the veteran was rendered unemployable due to her service-connected disabilities in the year preceding the filing of her claim.

The veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and he did not have a permanent total service-connected disability at the time of his death. Therefore, the claims for service connection for the cause of death and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic, acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as a psychotic disorder and major depression with psychotic features, is linked to his active service.

The VA medical specialist concluded that the veteran's death was not caused by or contributed to by VA treatment, and there were no medical opinions contradicting this conclusion.

The Board found that the veteran's major depression and PTSD were not incurred in service, as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis or link to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has denied the appellant's request for an earlier effective date for accrued benefits due to her deceased spouse, as the period of two years prior to death is not sufficient.