Depression decisions — 2007

The veteran's service-connected schizophrenia, depression, and organic brain syndrome are currently rated at 50 percent. The July 2003 rating decision was revised to grant a 70 percent evaluation based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of depression, dysplasia of the cervix with glandular involvement (claimed as squamous cell carcinoma), or menorrhagia, status post conization (claimed as cervix disease) and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's claims for increased rating of his low back disability, service connection for depression, and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the current medical evidence did not support a higher rating for the low back disability or service connection for depression.

The veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, dysthymia, anxiety, and PTSD. The case has been remanded due to the need for proper notification on how to substantiate a claim for PTSD based on personal assault and for additional development of evidence.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back disability was granted, with a new rating of 40 percent effective from December 1972.,The veteran's service connection claim for major depression was also granted, with a new rating of 10 percent and effective date set at June 9, 2004.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has ordered a remand to determine if additional mental disorders are related to service or if there is a progression of his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's depression is at least partly caused and/or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for depression on a secondary basis.

The Board found that the veteran does not have current disabilities related to his service, and therefore denied all of his claims for service connection.

The veteran's application for Service Disabled Veterans Insurance (RH) was denied because it was not submitted within the two-year period following her service-connected disability being granted in April 1996. The veteran did not present evidence of incompetence during this time.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as his inability to walk is attributed to a non-service-connected upper motor neuron lesion.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being permanently housebound.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence from the veteran's second period of service and a need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and depression, finding that the veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

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

The Board has determined that further development is needed to establish whether the veteran's PTSD is service-connected, including obtaining records of his military activities and a comprehensive psychiatric examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of exposure to asbestos, hypertension, a right arm disability, and a psychiatric disorder (anxiety with depression). The evidence did not support the presence or relationship of these conditions to service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for total disability based on individual unemployability due to the veteran's service-connected disabilities, as the claim arose when he received a federal disability retirement and SSA benefits in 1998. The effective date is set at May 6, 2004.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for a back condition and a mental condition, finding that there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to the appellant's active duty for training.

The veteran's anxiety disorder and depression have significantly impaired his occupational and social functioning, warranting a rating of 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic depression was incurred during his active duty service.