Depression decisions — 2004

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and granted it, finding that the veteran's current major depressive disorder with psychosis is related to his service-connected right testicle removal. The issue of entitlement to a higher rating for left ankle disability remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence submitted by the veteran and a need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of entitlement to a 100% disability rating for his service-connected nervous disorder was granted effective June 1, 2000. This decision is based on new evidence submitted after February 1999 and supporting documentation from an August 31, 2001 VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran did not timely appeal the December 1992 rating decision, which denied service connection for PTSD and depression. The Board's decision was subsequently overturned due to a finding of CUE.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not related to any service-connected condition, and thus denied service connection for cause of death.

The VA has determined that the veteran's psychiatric disability, characterized as schizo-affective disorder and major depression with psychotic features in partial remission, does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation than 30 percent.

The Board found that the cause of death was dementia, which is not service-connected. The veteran's PTSD did not contribute to his death or any other condition contributing to it.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is reasonably attributable to his service in Vietnam and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for depression and residuals of a head injury, finding no evidence to support these conditions during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and clarification of issues, including evaluation of foot disorders, service connection claims, and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for major depression is being remanded due to the need for additional records and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, as claimed as secondary to his service-connected lower back disability. The evidence does not support a finding that the current psychiatric disorder is related to either the veteran's service or his service-connected back disability.

The veteran's claim for service connection for major depression was reopened and granted. The rating for residuals of nasal fracture remains at 0 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and notification under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000. The veteran's claims for hypertension service connection and higher evaluation for depressive disorder are pending.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is aggravated by the pancreatitis. Hypercholesterolemia, hypokalemia, and diverticulosis are not shown to be separate disabilities or currently present. Depression was not caused or aggravated by the pancreatitis. The veteran's current rating for pancreatitis remains at 10 percent.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for depression and anxiety, gastrointestinal problems, over-active sensory nervous system, and migraine headaches, all secondary to her service-connected TMJ syndrome due to dental trauma.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic mental disability due to an undiagnosed illness during service and denied the veteran's claim.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of December 10, 1998, for his service connection for a major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety.

The veteran's claims for service connection for depression and PTSD were denied. The claim for an initial compensable rating for the appendectomy scar is remanded.

The veteran's application for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied as his disabilities are not rated at 60% or more combined, and he does not meet the percentage requirements based on service-connected conditions. The VA determined that his unemployability is due to his own willful misconduct related to alcohol abuse.