Depression Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for depression and assigned a 20 percent evaluation for cervical spine disability. The evaluations for thoracic and lumbar spine disabilities were also increased to 10 percent each.

The Board denied service connection for major depression, recurrent severe with psychotic symptoms as secondary to service-connected ankylosed index and middle finger of the right hand and residuals of right foot injury due to lack of evidence linking the current mental condition to the service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied a request for an effective date prior to March 4, 1997, for the grant of service connection for PTSD and major depression.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, depression, and lumbosacral strain with right sciatic irritation. The decision also determined that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his various disabilities, finding that he is not in need of such assistance.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's psychiatric disorders to his period of active military service, thus concluding that the claim for service connection is not well grounded.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings and earlier effective date for PTSD, major depression with anxiety features, and voiding dysfunction were granted. The rating for post-herpetic zoster neuralgia was denied.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 30 percent for internal derangement of the left knee and a separate 10 percent evaluation for degenerative arthritis, effective March 26, 1999. The veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent disabling since January 1999.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's currently diagnosed major depressive disorder to his naval service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The appellant's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected bipolar disorder with depression is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a current VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has reopened the claim and found new and material evidence to support a service connection for depressive disorder. The veteran's history of depression during service, along with her current diagnosis, supports this finding.

The veteran's unemployability is due to his nonservice-connected disabilities, which do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating.

The veteran's depression and dysthymia are found to have originated during his period of active service, while the PTSD is considered a direct result of service. The claim for increased rating for PTSD is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has determined that the appellant's need for regular aid and attendance of another person is established, based on her inability to keep herself clean and presentable. The claim is granted.

The Board denied an effective date earlier than May 15, 1995, for a total disability evaluation for major depression. The RO granted the evaluation based on evidence from May 15, 1995, and found no increase in disability within one year prior to that date.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus is not service-connected and denied his claim for depression as it was not well-grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a seizure disorder secondary to his service-connected low back disorder and for an increased rating for major depressive disorder. The effective date for total disability based on individual unemployability was set at March 19, 1996.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension on account of being housebound is denied as he does not meet the requirements due to his disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a depressive disorder and the evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of bilateral bunionectomy with post-surgical changes, finding that the veteran's pre-existing conditions did not warrant service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current chronic major depression is etiologically related to her service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.