Depression decisions — 2003

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. The claim was reopened based on the submission of new and material evidence.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, including heart disorder, stomach disorder (including ulcers), gallbladder disorder, depression, and headaches. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions are not related to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for atopic dermatitis, asthma, cataracts, and depression. The Board found that there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition in service or any aggravation during service. The current conditions were not shown to be related to service.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case due to pending requests for additional evidence. The appeal is being remanded for additional medical records and examinations.

The case is being remanded for additional development due to the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and VCAA requirements.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims of entitlement to an increased evaluation for service-connected lumbosacral strain and entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The RO is instructed to ensure that all requested development has been completed, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for major depression since March 1, 2000 and denied the claim for left calf strain as there is no evidence of compensable disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depression either began or became worse during his active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's appeal is for an increased evaluation of his service-connected PTSD. The RO has granted him other disabilities, but the current rating for PTSD remains at 30 percent. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to properly assess and delineate the distinctions between and interactions among mental health disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding of service onset or a link to service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with depression, finding that the veteran's symptoms align with her reported stressor of sexual assault in service.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, depression, as secondary to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the 5th and 6th cervical vertebrae.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes, as his combined evaluation is only 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for multiple sclerosis was improper.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hip disability and to reopen his claim for depression, finding no new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the effective date for a permanent and total disability rating for non-service-connected pension purposes should be January 8, 1992, based on evidence showing the veteran was permanently and totally disabled from conditions not due to his own willful misconduct as of this date.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for a neuropsychiatric disorder that includes depression and anxiety, finding the evidence in equipoise on whether these conditions are etiologically related to the veteran's service-connected PTSD. The issue of determination of initial rating assignment for PTSD is remanded due to failure to provide a statement of the case.

The veteran's service-connected major depression with anxiety features was granted a disability rating of 30 percent effective October 4, 2002.