Depression Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting total occupational impairment and a history of suicidal ideations with prior suicide attempts.

The veteran is factually housebound due to his service-connected PTSD with depression prior to September 28, 2005 and beginning July 1, 2006. Special monthly compensation based on housebound status has been granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions and finds no basis for granting service connection in any of these cases.

The veteran is seeking an effective date earlier than June 19, 2001 for a 100 percent rating for his service-connected mental condition.,The veteran also seeks an effective date earlier than April 8, 1994 for the award of total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and depression, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to assess his employability.

The veteran is service-connected for multiple conditions including lumbosacral strain with arthritis, left ankle sprain post-operative changes, fibromyalgia, hysterectomy and major depressive disorder. The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude her from walking without assistance, warranting specially adapted housing but not a special home adaptation grant.

The veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding his unemployability solely as a result of his service-connected disabilities, particularly his asthma.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to appear for a scheduled video-conference hearing. The issues of increased ratings for specific disabilities are also referred back to the RO.

The Board found that the veteran's major depressive disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to any incident of service.

The Board found that the veteran's throat injury residuals, including difficulty eating, sleeping and laying flat, hearing loss, and depression, are not proximately due to VA medical treatment provided in April 2001. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that any current conditions were caused by VA carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or an event not reasonably foreseeable.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records from his service and post-service periods.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues raised in a motion for remand, including the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of new evidence.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate was denied as he did not have a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent disabling with additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent, nor was he shown to be substantially confined to his home by reason of his service-connected disabilities prior to October 27, 2003.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's psychiatric disability is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected heart disease.

The veteran's claims for service connection for alopecia areata totalis and depression have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.