Depression decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected depression is being remanded due to additional evidence submitted since the last decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is being remanded due to insufficient information in the examination reports. The VA will schedule a new examination by a psychiatrist or psychologist to determine the nature and etiology of all acquired psychiatric disorders present during his period of service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining the Veteran's personnel records from his period of active service in Vietnam and arranging for a mental status examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric conditions, including GAD and depression, were denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD. The other issues related to secondary service connection have not been addressed due to the denial of the primary claim.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression is rated at 30 percent prior to July 11, 2011 and 50 percent from that date. The claim for higher ratings has been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a duodenal ulcer, back disability, and adjustment disorder with depression. The claim for increased rating for prostate disability was also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination and notification of sources other than service records that may support the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression, is being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the etiology of his PTSD.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from November 19, 2007 to November 20, 2007 at St. Elizabeth Hospital were denied as the treatment was not related to his service-connected conditions and he had stabilized by that time.

The Veteran's permanent and total disability rating for depressive disorder was granted retroactively to October 29, 1997. However, the effective date of DEA benefits under Chapter 35 is October 7, 2003, which occurred after the appellant reached her 26th birthday. Therefore, she does not meet the eligibility criteria for DEA benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, are related to his service in Vietnam. The case is remanded for further development of medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder, manic depression, and PTSD is granted. The initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and depression. The claim for hepatitis C was reopened, but the new evidence does not establish a nexus to service. For his acquired psychiatric disorder, the VA examiner found no link between the condition and service.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression as secondary to his service-connected Raynaud's disease, effective from March 11, 1997 (the date of initial grant of service connection). The rating assigned was 60 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including depression, cognitive disorder, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease, were not incurred or aggravated by his military service. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions are not related to his service or to his service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development and examination, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The case will be readjudicated after all actions are taken.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied.,The claim of new and material evidence to reopen a left knee disability has also been denied.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety is found to be secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including low back disability and diabetes mellitus.

The claim for service connection for dysthymic disorder has been reopened and granted. The claim for service connection for PTSD remains denied due to lack of a verified stressor.