Depression decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for SMC based on the loss of use of a creative organ was denied as her symptoms are not attributable to any service-connected disability.

The October 1974 rating decision denied service connection for chronic emotional instability due to a personality disorder, which is not a disease or injury for VA purposes. The June 2001 rating decisions reopened the claim and denied it again based on lack of evidence showing onset in service.,The June 2001 rating decisions also denied service connection for bronchitis based on post-service medical records indicating no findings attributed to bronchitis until February 1991.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under either the old or current VA rating criteria.