Depression decisions — 2010

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, characterized as major depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent disabling effective August 18, 2005. The Board also granted an effective date of April 1, 2002 for the TDIU on a schedular basis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for memory loss and sleep impairment other than sleep apnea is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's current symptoms of sleep impairment are related to his already service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his service-connected anxiety disorder with depression was denied, as the medical evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound was also denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder can be decided.

The Board finds that there is competent evidence tending to establish that the Veteran's major depressive disorder had an onset in service and is related to service in Vietnam, warranting service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition and did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the Veteran's incarceration, including arranging for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety disorder with depression and hepatitis C, as well as his claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Board found clear and unmistakable error in the December 1979 decision that denied an increased evaluation for service-connected chronic anxiety neurosis with depression, finding that a reduction of the original 50% evaluation to 30% was not warranted due to lack of evidence of sustained improvement.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her claims file.

The Veteran's claims for chronic liver disease, including hepatitis C; kidney disorder; and psychiatric disability (depression) have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a connection to service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently evaluated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this evaluation adequately reflects his disability level.

The Veteran's initial rating for depressive disorder was granted at 50 percent effective September 13, 2004. The appeal is for a higher rating from April 9, 2009.

The Board is considering the appellant's claim to reopen his character of discharge and whether it constitutes a bar to VA benefits. The case has been remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the cause of his multiple periods of AWOL.

The Board has determined that service connection for hypertension is warranted. The Veteran's blood pressure readings during service and post-service show the onset of symptoms, with reasonably demonstrated continuity of symptoms thereafter.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including verification of stressors and VA examinations to address both direct service connection and aggravation issues.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his disabilities and their impact on his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected mood disorder (claimed as anxiety and depression) is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that a higher initial evaluation of 70 percent is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death before a final decision could be made.

The Veteran's major depression resulted in considerable social and industrial impairment, warranting a 50 percent disability rating from March 14, 1994 to November 6, 1996. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected condition alone did not render her unemployable.