Depression decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders including depression due to incomplete development of evidence regarding stressors and the need for a VA examination to determine if service connection is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for higher disability ratings or TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a disability incurred in or aggravated by service, including his in-service malaria. The cause of death listed on the certificate was suicide due to chronic depression.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA clinical records and scheduling the Veteran for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for further development due to incomplete compliance with previous remands.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety, finding that these conditions are causally related to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran is now entitled to a separate evaluation for this disability.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) as secondary to a low back disability. The claim for migraines is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to incomplete service personnel records and the need to adjudicate under the liberalizing amendment to 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(3).

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private mental health records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD and whether any other diagnosed psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, as these conditions are found to be proximately due to the appellant's service-connected skin disability.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 28, 2008 for the award of a 100% disability rating for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Major Depression. The Veteran's appeal was based on his contention that he should have received this higher rating earlier.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for DIC benefits is not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia has been reopened, but the evidence does not support a finding that his mental health disability was caused by military service or VA treatment. The 1151 claim for compensation due to VA medical treatment is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hypertension and psychiatric disorder were not incurred or aggravated by service, including exposure to herbicides. The claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder were denied. The Board found that no communication from the Veteran or his representative constituted a formal claim prior to June 21, 2005.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, paranoia, depression, schizophrenia, and PTSD. The Veteran's deviated nasal septum was rated at 10 percent.

The Board finds that the Veteran's depression was incurred in service and grants service connection for this condition. The Board also finds that his low back disorder is not related to service, as there is no evidence of a chronic disability within one year post-service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions in his May 2010 VA examination. The case is being returned to obtain clarification from the examiner regarding the Veteran's psychiatric history.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the minimum schedular percentage standards for a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is now remanded for further development.