Depression Board decisions

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and evaluations in excess of the current ratings were denied. The veteran was granted a 50 percent rating for residuals of loss of part, both inner and outer tables, of left frontal bone of the skull with effective date from May 1995.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has denied the veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension, with an allowance for aid and attendance due to insufficient financial resources.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes was denied as his disabilities do not meet the criteria set forth in VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depression is proximately due to a service-connected disability, specifically fibromyalgia. The claim for service connection for major depression is therefore granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded, and thus denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depression, PTSD, and generalized anxiety with phobia, have rendered him unemployable. The Board finds that the combined rating of 70% for these conditions is sufficient to meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's disabilities, including depression, right knee instability, and sleep apnea, do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is not well-grounded due to insufficient evidence linking his current condition to his period of active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches, depression, and skin rash are all service-connected based on direct evidence of a nexus to her military service.

The veteran's right wrist fusion with carpal tunnel syndrome and major depression have been rated, while the left elbow laceration repair has not met criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for increased depression evaluation and service connection for low back disorder and left forearm fracture residuals were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or establish service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for depression and an initial compensable rating for a peritoneal inclusion cyst. The veteran was not granted service connection for depression, as her claim may not be well grounded without competent medical evidence of a current diagnosis of depression related to military service or a service-connected disability. Her claim for a compensable rating for the peritoneal inclusion cyst is pending.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied as the VA examinations did not adequately assess his ability to work.

The veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and special monthly compensation were denied. The service-connected lumbosacral spine disability remains at a 60 percent rating, which is the maximum under applicable criteria.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for a major depressive disorder and a cervical spine condition due to an undiagnosed illness is being remanded back to the RO for further review.

The Board finds that the appellant's disabilities do not render him housebound or in need of regular aid and attendance, thus denying his claims for special monthly pension by reason of being in need of regular aid and attendance of another person or on account of being housebound.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for major depression were both denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current back condition to service, and that the earliest effective date for the grant of service connection for major depression would be January 3, 1997.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder results in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for depressive disorder, right shoulder tendonitis, and cognitive disorder due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder with psychotic features warrants a 30 percent disability rating, as per the criteria set forth in Diagnostic Code 9434. The evidence does not support an increase to a higher rating.