Anxiety decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased rating for his service-connected anxiety disorder was denied by operation of law due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a higher evaluation for his left hip disability were denied. The appeal was based on new evidence that reopened the claim, but no specific rating or effective date is assigned.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and his adjustment disorder with anxiety is not related to service. Therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disability is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a scar on the back of the head with migraines, finding no evidence of such condition in service or post-service. The psychiatric disorder claim is pending.

The Veteran's current anxiety disorder was not incurred during service and the Board finds that it is more likely related to his non-service-connected seizure disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an anxiety disorder and a left knee disorder, as well as his claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his chronic right cervicothoracic paraspinal muscle strain. The decision also notes that additional development is needed prior to further consideration of these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, was incurred in or caused by active service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining unit histories of the Veteran's service at Da Nang Air Base and conducting a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disability is related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied, but his anxiety disorder claim was granted due to the preponderance of evidence in favor of a connection between his military service and his anxiety disorder.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current anxiety disorder is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition. However, there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and GAD, must be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the in-service stressor. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

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 verification of his claimed stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to address service connection for various psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran's representative raised issues regarding hearing loss, tremors, and a skin condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for sleeplessness, depression, anxiety, and a bad temper prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the issuance of a supplemental statement of the case regarding his increased rating claim and earlier effective date claim.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating for this condition. The appeal has been granted as service connection was established.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran's anxiety disorder is related to his service, including a specific incident in 1985. The case will be reconsidered after this new evidence is obtained.

The Board found no basis to grant service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder on a direct or secondary basis, as there was not sufficient medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is the result of his military service, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD with depression.