Depression Board decisions

The Board found no evidence of a valid in-service stressor and denied service connection for depression and PTSD.

The veteran is entitled to special monthly pension at the housebound rate due to a single permanent disability rated as 100 percent disabling (Hodgkin's disease) and additional disabilities ratable at 60 percent or more.

The Board found that the veteran has provided new and material evidence to reopen his claim of service connection for a nervous disorder. However, no competent medical evidence was presented to demonstrate a diagnosed psychiatric disorder related to his period of military service.

The veteran's PTSD resulted in severe social and industrial impairment, warranting a 70 percent rating from August 10, 1994.

The veteran's anxiety disorder and major depression are currently evaluated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder is being remanded due to a potential issue with clear and unmistakable error in a previous rating decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depression warrants a 30 percent disability rating based on current manifestations of symptoms and impairment.

The veteran's depression was granted an increased evaluation to 10%.,His right shoulder disability, characterized by recurrent dislocation and degenerative changes with painful motion, was granted a 20% rating. However, the effective date for this grant is denied.

The Board granted an effective date of November 30, 1988 for the veteran's claim seeking a 100% disability rating for schizophrenia with tension headaches and periodic depression.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and Major Depression with Psychotic Features, effective September 2, 2000. The veteran's claim was based on new evidence submitted after his initial claims.

The Board found that the veteran's anxiety depression and pain disorder with tension headaches do not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent, as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The veteran's depressive disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. Service connection for migraine headaches is granted with an effective date of November 9, 2000.

The veteran's service-connected psychiatric conditions and COPD did not contribute substantially or materially to his cause of death.

The veteran's appeal regarding the effective dates of benefits assigned by rating decisions in December 1998 and January 1999 was denied because he did not timely file a notice of disagreement.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, finding no legal basis for compensation prior to March 4, 1993, and that it is not factually ascertainable whether his disabilities precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for schizophrenia and depression, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted since the last final denial in June 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed as a depressive disorder or as schizophrenic symptomatology, and claimed as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as incurred in service. The RO denied an increased rating for his mandibular fracture residuals and paresthesia of the fifth cranial nerve, but granted a separate rating for this condition. His depressive disorder was also granted, with no referral to extra-schedular consideration. The veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to multiple service-connected disabilities.