Depression decisions — 2004

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, effective October 30, 2001. The effective date is determined by the date of objective evidence showing the veteran was unable to work due to his service-connected conditions.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a psychiatric examination and obtaining medical records. The issues of total disability rating based on individual unemployability and earlier effective date for PTSD are inextricably intertwined with the current evaluation of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his hearing loss, malaria, PTSD, and depression due to procedural issues and the need for additional development.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional evidence and conduct further examinations, including a psychiatric examination by a VA psychiatrist. The appellant's claims for service connection for psychiatric disorders (including bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorder, depression, and agoraphobia) and genitourinary disorders (including frequent urination) will be evaluated based on the new evidence.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability evaluation for major depression, finding total occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has granted service connection for depression with anxiety, short term memory loss, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to an undiagnosed illness. The claim for initial compensable rating for hepatitis B is pending.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, as her symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for depressive disorder with fatigue, from the initial grant of service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot disability, teeth #1, 17, 21, 28, and 32, and a psychiatric disorder (depression). The veteran did not have a current diagnosis of these conditions associated with his active military duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection due to lack of a formal or informal claim prior to May 11, 1999.

The Board has granted effective dates of October 8, 1986 for the grant of service connection and a 50 percent evaluation for major depression.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection due to new and material evidence showing an acquired psychiatric disorder, which may be related to service. The claim is granted.

The VA has granted an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected depression from 50% to a higher percentage, based on the severity of his symptoms and their impact on daily life.

The Board has granted a 100% disability rating for the veteran's major depressive disorder effective from September 1, 1995.

The Board finds that the veteran's need for regular aid and attendance of another person meets the criteria for special monthly pension benefits, based on his multiple nonservice-connected disabilities.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a higher rating for his PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and Depression, finding that the veteran's conditions are related to an in-service personal assault.

The Board has granted service connection for major depression as secondary to the veteran's service-connected cervical spine fusion with degenerative disc disease.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression, is secondary to his service-connected pruritis ani with IBS. The decision affords the veteran the benefit of doubt in this matter.