Anxiety decisions — 2009

The Veteran's kidney stones are not related to his service or any service-connected condition. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his claimed anxiety disorder, hypertension, familial tremor, and IBS (abdominal muscle spasms).

The Board has determined that the appellant's PTSD is related to an in-service parachute jump mishap, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is found to be incurred in service. The Board also finds that the Veteran's other acquired psychiatric disabilities are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders (anxiety and depression) were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found that the current diagnoses are not related to his military service.

The Veteran does not have hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), bronchitis, or arthritis of the legs, shoulders, or back that was caused or aggravated by his service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal for hearing loss and anxiety disorder, NOS (claimed as PTSD).

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his experiences in service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not currently have PTSD meeting DSM-IV criteria and denied his claims for service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and verifying service periods. The Veteran's claims of hearing loss, tinnitus, left ear otitis media, and psychiatric disorders are being reviewed.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected psychoneurosis, anxiety type.

The Veteran's specific phobia of snakes with anxiety disorder has been rated at 50 percent since October 3, 2001. The Board found that the disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, which is considered a direct service connection condition, results in moderate impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The VA has determined that the current disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety and depression, due to disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and dental treatment records.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders were not shown to be etiologically related to service, and his PTSD claim was denied due to lack of verified in-service stressor.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for initial consideration of the merits of his claims, including entitlement to an earlier effective date prior to April 20, 1999, for the assignment of a compensable evaluation for service-connected anxiety disorder and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, is being remanded due to insufficient development of the evidence regarding the etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, depression and anxiety, and headaches are being remanded as the medical evidence is insufficient to make a determination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder did not substantially contribute to his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes was not addressed in a de novo decision as required by law.