Depression Board decisions

The Board denied the claim for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation benefits based on the appellant's alleged status as the helpless child of a veteran, finding that he was not permanently incapable of self-support at 18 years old.

The VA has granted a 70 percent rating for the veteran's depressive disorder, which is manifested by depression, panic attacks, memory loss, impaired impulse control, and an inability to establish effective relationships.

The Board granted service connection for depression and determined that the veteran was entitled to a TDIU effective June 1, 1993 based on his unemployability due to his service-connected mental disability.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for depression/bipolar disorder was not well-grounded and denied it. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder previously claimed as personality disorder or adjustment disorder is dismissed due to lack of appeal.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate is denied due to his inability to meet the criteria, including having a single permanent disability rated 100% disabling.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no competent evidence showing a direct link between the veteran's service-connected conditions and his death.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability evaluation for the appellant's service-connected depressive disorder and postoperative residuals of a spontaneous pneumothorax of the left lung, finding that these conditions are well-grounded and meet the criteria for such evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the severity of the veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder and a need for further clarification from the VA physician who completed a March 1999 report of examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of migraine headaches, right foot bursitis, defective hearing, tinnitus, left knee injury residuals, plantar fasciitis, or depression.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and secondary service connection have been granted. The specific conditions are psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, depression, and geographic tongue.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is not well-grounded because there is no competent medical evidence linking his current psychiatric condition to his time in service.

The Board has expanded the scope of the claim for major depression to encompass any mental health disability raised by the record and has remanded six issues for additional development.

The Board has expanded the scope of the claim to include any mental health disorder raised by the record and has remanded for additional development regarding service connection for left leg, ankle, and psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining in-service psychiatric treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient findings regarding PTSD and depression, requiring a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for specially-adapted housing assistance and a special home adaptation grant was denied because he does not meet the criteria for either benefit based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.