Depression decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for numbness in the hands, depressive disorder, and upper back disorder. The claim for bilateral knee disorder was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for low back disorder was also not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for right ankle disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's service-connected major depression is rated at 70 percent, which meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board found that the veteran's psychiatric disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The veteran's claim for SMC at the housebound rate was granted effective April 27, 1987. The veteran is entitled to this benefit due to his service-connected disabilities and inability to manage daily activities without assistance.

The Board determined that the veteran's claimed in-service stressors were not verified and he did not have a substantiated diagnosis of PTSD related to any incident of military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression, preexisted his entry into military service and is not aggravated by active duty. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic major depressive disorder warrants a 70 percent evaluation, effective from June 2001.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death (Parkinson's disease and Depression) is not related to his period of service, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The veteran requested a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals, but initially did not want one. The case is being remanded to allow for this request.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for major depression is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess current symptomatology and impairment.

The Board found no evidence of PTSD and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a post-traumatic stress disorder or major depressive disorder related to the veteran's active military service. The veteran's husband, who was also in service, did not develop any psychiatric disorders that would have caused her to suffer from these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to VA medical treatment in October 1999, finding no evidence of additional disability caused by VA fault.

The VA determined that the veteran's major depression does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent, as her symptoms do not significantly affect her occupational and social functioning.

The VA denied the veteran's claim of service connection for depressive disorder, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking his current condition to his service-connected lumbar spine, knee, and shoulder conditions.

The veteran's service-connected major depression and chronic dysthymia are found to have contributed substantially to his cause of death, which was probable arrhythmia due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The issue of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is moot as a result.

The veteran's service records do not show any complaints or diagnoses related to the claimed conditions. The veteran testified that he did not receive medical treatment for these conditions during his military service.,VA has reviewed all available evidence and determined that there is no basis to establish service connection for any of the claimed conditions.

The case is being remanded to the RO for additional development due to a request for a videoconference hearing.

For the period from April 1, 1996 to November 6, 1996, major depression was manifested by mild sleep disturbance and anxiety productive of mild social and industrial impairment.,For the period from November 7, 1996 to September 3, 2003, major depression was manifested by occupational and social impairment due to decreased ability to maintain personal appearance and hygiene, and objective evidence of moderate difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances.

The veteran's major depression was first shown during service and is related to current disability. The claim for an increased rating for adenomyomatosis and diverticulitis is granted.