Depression decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for education benefits under Chapter 30, Title 38, United States Code (Chapter 30 or Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)) to include an extension of the 10-year delimiting date was denied as he did not apply for an extension within one year after his expiration date or within one year of the last day he was prevented from pursuing such a program.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's joint pain/arthralgia, respiratory disorder, impotence, and depression are not service-connected as they are either already compensated through his hepatitis C rating or are not shown to be caused by his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety with night sweats, poor memory, mood swings, depression, panic attacks, poor concentration, and poor sense of direction, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of his acquired psychiatric disorder, including Bipolar Disorder, dysthymia, Major Depression and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether these conditions were aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus or hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar spine disability, right and left lower extremity numbness, and major depressive disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling examinations, and readjudicating his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected mood disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, effective June 20, 2008.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a decision on the merits can be made regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's statements regarding combat stressors are considered credible and should be taken into account in any opinion regarding nexus between his current psychiatric disabilities and service.

The Board found that the Veteran's notice of disagreement was not timely filed, and thus denied his appeal regarding the November 24, 2004 denial for drug and alcohol abuse and to reopen the claim for a nervous condition (claimed as depression and schizophrenia).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and TDIU, finding that no clear and unmistakable error was made in previous decisions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is dismissed as the issue has been resolved by a grant of service connection for PTSD with depressive disorder, not otherwise specified.

The Board has determined that an anxiety disorder not otherwise specified with PTSD features is related to the Veteran's service in Vietnam, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. However, no other psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are found to be related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety, is being remanded due to the need for an examination to determine the etiology of any current psychiatric disability. The examiner will also be asked to specify whether the Veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board found service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, PTSD, and anxiety disorder) granted. However, the left hand disability claim was denied, as were the TDIU claims due to the left hand disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion as to whether any psychiatric disability found is related to service or a service-connected disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development, including a need for a VA psychiatric examination and review of additional records.

The Board has denied all claims for initial compensable evaluations, finding no indication of ongoing or new symptoms that would warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, right hand fracture residuals, and gastritis have been granted service connection. The back disability is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder was granted, with the diagnosis being established based on evidence in his file at the date of death. The claim for melanoma remains denied.