Depression decisions — 2005

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current psychosis disability and did not establish service connection for depression, generalized anxiety disorder, or PTSD. The stressors claimed by the veteran were not verified due to lack of credible supporting evidence.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a 100% rating for femur fracture residuals and a 30% rating for major depression, do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code was denied because she had already overcome her employment handicap through obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Management.

The Board found that the veteran's psychotic major affective disorder was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right hand disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for personality disorder and recurrent major depressive disorder, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The veteran's service-connected depression was granted a 50 percent evaluation effective from October 5, 1999. The case also resulted in an effective date of November 1, 2000 for the total rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person. The veteran was found not to have current PTSD or other qualifying psychiatric conditions that are related to her military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected major depression and duodenal ulcer do not warrant increased disability ratings.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the appellant withdrew their appeal through their representative.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records, including mental health treatment records from service and VA medical facilities. The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is pending.

The veteran's claims for service connection for depression, an itching condition, skin cancer, and refractive error and/or presbyopia (claimed as bad eyesight) have been denied. The Board found no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's active service or to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the veteran's unemployability is due to his alcohol and substance abuse, not a service-connected psychiatric condition. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The VA has determined that the veteran's generalized anxiety disorder with depression warrants a 50 percent disability rating from the effective date of service connection to the present.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a depressive disorder and bipolar disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for major depression and an increased rating for Guillain-Barre syndrome, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's depressive disorder is related to her military service and has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of abdominal pain as an undiagnosed illness associated with Gulf War service remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and residuals of heat stroke, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The veteran's left forehead scar is rated at a 10 percent rating, effective as of the date of the grant of service connection.

The case is being remanded for additional development due to new evidence submitted by the appellant.