Depression Board decisions

The Board has granted increased evaluations for the veteran's organic brain syndrome and chondromalacia of the right knee, with a 30 percent evaluation for organic brain syndrome and a 20 percent evaluation for chondromalacia. The depression claim was denied as not service-connected.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is now shown to be manifested by a level of impairment that more nearly approximates the criteria for a 50 percent rating, warranting an increased disability rating.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death. The appellant argued that her husband's psychiatric condition caused his respiratory failure and pneumonia, but the Board concluded that his anxiety disorder and depression were not significant factors in his death.

The veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, low back disability and right shoulder disability are all productive of significant impairment in work, thinking and mood. The increased evaluations for these conditions have been granted.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and adult adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression due to new evidence submitted by the veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inextricably intertwined issue of service connection for a psychiatric disability. The veteran's insurance claim is deferred until this issue is resolved.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for major depression as being secondary to the veteran's service-connected depressive neurosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety disorder, and pain disorder, are at least in part due to his service-connected disabilities.

The VA granted a total rating for compensation purposes by reason of individual unemployability due to service-connected disability effective from November 15, 2000.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the service-connected major depression with history of acute schizophrenic episode, which was previously rated at 30 percent.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected mental disorder and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to this condition. The current level of impairment is considered to be no more than moderate, with occasional social and industrial impairment.

The veteran's claims for service connection for eye disorders, bilateral ptosis, residuals from bacteria after placement of an IUD, premenstrual dysphoria disorder (claimed as depression), and a bilateral knee disorder have all been denied. The denial is based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, currently characterized as depression/anxiety. The decision will now proceed to consider whether this evidence is sufficient to warrant granting service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected major depression with anxiety and panic attacks was denied due to her failure to report for a scheduled VA examination. The available evidence does not warrant an increase in the current 50 percent disability rating.

The Board has restored service connection for the veteran's nonspecific arthralgias and a secondary depressive disorder due to these conditions, as they were initially granted on a presumptive basis for undiagnosed illnesses related to military service in the Persian Gulf.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder warrants a 50 percent rating, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including an ulcer disorder of the legs, hypertension (HTN), arthritis, cuts on the stomach and arms, or depression. The RO's decision is denied.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly allowance based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status, thus denying her claim.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits was granted, with the effective date set at September 15, 1997.