Depression decisions — 2004

The Board denied the appellant's claims for an increased rating for his headaches and service connection for a major depressive disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or to his service-connected headache disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety) and for an addictive disease, characterized by drug and alcohol abuse. The denial is based on the lack of evidence of a current disability for which service connection may be granted.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for the appellant's service-connected anxiety with depression and PTSD as of November 6, 2000.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear medical etiology and a need for additional development, including obtaining a psychiatric letter from service separation examination and providing the veteran with an opportunity for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the veteran's spouse's claim for special monthly dependency and indemnity compensation due to her need for aid and attendance or being permanently housebound.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and arranging for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any currently diagnosed anxiety disorder, depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder originated in, or is otherwise traceable to, military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, finding no evidence of a pre-existing condition and no increase in disability during service.

The veteran's claims for a higher rating for major depression and service connection for personality disorder are being remanded to the RO for further development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation benefits was initially denied due to her failure to complete substance abuse treatment and demonstrate improvement. The Board has decided to remand the case back to the RO for further evaluation, including obtaining updated medical records and conducting examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a chronic psychiatric disorder. However, additional development is needed due to incomplete records and verification of the veteran's periods of active duty.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that new evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen his low back injury claim, and his depression was not related to service or a service-connected disability. His pelvic fracture was rated as noncompensable due to lack of significant impairment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for heart problems, depression, alcohol dependency, seizures, and chronic lung problem. The evidence does not support a causal relationship between any of these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 70 percent for the veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder, effective from the date of the initial claim in March 1999.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for adjustment disorder with depressed mood, which she claimed as anxiety, nerves, depression, and PTSD.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 21, 1994 for a 50 percent rating for major depression with psychotic features is granted.

The Board previously denied the veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for further examination and consideration of whether his service-connected conditions render him unemployable.

The Board found that the veteran's major depression is related to his period of active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are service-connected due to exposure to Agent Orange. Depression is not service-connected.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for a cesarean scar and whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for a low back disorder and varicose veins due to lack of timely response.

The Board has granted service connection for major depression and chronic adjustment disorder with symptoms of PTSD, finding that the veteran's in-service assault is credible and linking it to her current psychiatric conditions.