Anxiety decisions — 2008

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disorder is not due to a disease or injury incurred in service, including PTSD linked to confirmed in-service stressors.

The Board found no evidence of a generalized anxiety disorder during service or for many years thereafter, and concluded that the current diagnosis is not related to active service. For the cervical spine disability and low back strain claims, the VA examiner determined there was insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cluster headaches, hypertension, peptic ulcer disease (PUD), benign thymic cyst with hemorrhage, frostbite residuals, and anxiety. The conditions were not present in service or related to service.

The veteran's claim for increased rating and total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is being remanded for additional development of the medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of reopening his service connection for generalized anxiety disorder cannot be granted as there is no new and material evidence to support it.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further development, including obtaining service medical records, treatment records from N.Y.U. Bellevue, and a VA examination.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service and denied the claim for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder.

The Board found that the veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and a personality disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The preexisting conditions are presumed to have existed prior to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as generalized anxiety and panic disorders with modified agoraphobia, is related to his period of military service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The claims will be reconsidered after all requested actions are completed.

The veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further evaluation due to the complexity of his psychiatric conditions and their impact on employment.

The Board found that the veteran's anxiety and bipolar disorders were not incurred during active military service, as there was no evidence of such conditions in service records. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for dysthymia and lumbar spine disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The veteran's service connection claim for cysts in the testicles and inner left leg disability was denied. However, his service-connected hemochromatosis is found to have aggravated a non-service connected generalized anxiety disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood warrants an initial rating of 30 percent, effective from July 31, 1998.

The Board found that the veteran's depression and anxiety were not related to his time in service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including major depression and anxiety disorder, were not incurred or aggravated in service. The claim was denied as there is no evidence of a psychosis within one year after separation from active duty.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the cause of the veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including whether they are related to his service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings on appeal are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing notification letters in compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to the need for additional examination and development of records, as well as clarification on effective dates.