Depression Board decisions

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence submitted since the previous denial. The issue of entitlement to service connection will be addressed in a later decision.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been denied. The RO has developed all evidence necessary for an equitable disposition of the veteran's claims.

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

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and major depression, finding that these conditions are proximately due to the veteran's service-connected low back disability.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD warranted a 50 percent evaluation, but denied service connection for major depression as secondary to PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right knee disorder, generalized arthritis, low back pain, and residuals of fusion of the anterior portion of T-10 to T-11. The decision also denied his claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing records and incomplete file, including psychiatric and gastroenterologist examinations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for depression, grand mal epilepsy, residuals of a laceration of the forehead and skull, and residuals of a skull fracture as well as his claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to the veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and there is no evidence of a causal relationship between any diagnosed psychiatric conditions and service. As such, the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability (claimed as a nervous condition), to include PTSD, is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for depression, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the September 1997 rating decision. The evidence did not establish a current disability at separation from service.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no medical evidence linking the veteran's current psychiatric conditions to his active duty service.

The Board found that the December 1981 rating decision denying service connection for ulcers, spastic colitis, and bruxism did not contain clear and unmistakable error.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for his service-connected dermatophytosis and denied service connection for depression, finding that there was no competent medical evidence showing a link between his skin disorder and depression.

The veteran's major depressive disorder was initially granted a 30 percent evaluation, effective from June 14, 1996. The evaluation was increased to 50 percent in July 1997 and then changed to 100 percent starting October 12, 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depression and right knee disability are service-connected, with the latter being granted based on new evidence received after the original denial.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased disability evaluation and TDIU due to her major depression, finding that the current evaluation of 50 percent is appropriate.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected conditions have been granted, with the highest possible evaluation (50%) assigned for chronic head injury syndrome and depression. Other conditions remain at their current ratings.

The Board has determined that the appellant's adjustment disorder with depression is not related to his service-connected headache disorder. The residuals of a cholecystectomy with dyspepsia secondary to active ulcer disease are productive of continuous moderate manifestations, warranting a 20 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and for an increase in his rating for hemorrhoids. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board found no evidence of anxiety and depression or ulcers during service, nor did it find that they were present within one year after discharge. The veteran's claims for these conditions are denied.