Anxiety decisions — 2009

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder with depression is productive of total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a neck disability, and an initial rating for anxiety disorder in excess of 30%. The Board found that there was no diagnosis of PTSD meeting DSM-IV criteria. For the neck disability, the Board concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the current condition and service or the service-connected right upper arm disability. For the anxiety disorder, the Board noted that the Veteran's claim for an increased rating did not meet the criteria.

The Veteran's disabilities, including anemia, hemorrhoids, hypertension, mild cataracts, pancolitis, positive testing for tuberculosis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), anxiety, and alcohol abuse, do not permanently preclude him from engaging in all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his age, education, and work experience.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for an anxiety disorder and a gastrointestinal disorder. The appellant's currently diagnosed anxiety disorder is found to be attributable to his active military service, raising a reasonable doubt in favor of service connection.,Service connection is granted for the aggravation of the appellant's GERD secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and obtaining SSA records.

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

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, associated with herbicide exposure, does not prevent him from securing and following any form of substantially gainful employment.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder to his military service, and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development of the record, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records, including VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits documentation.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, finding that there is no medical evidence or research to indicate a causal relationship between his service-connected disabilities (tinnitus, hearing loss, and residuals of a shrapnel wound) and his current psychiatric condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional evidentiary development due to new evidence submitted by the appellant and a newly granted service connection for an anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is denied as there is no competent evidence linking any current psychiatric disability to service.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder with atypical features and anxiety disorder is currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board found that a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and generalized anxiety disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, can be linked to his military service and is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (panic disorder with agoraphobia) and denied the reopening of a previously denied claim for degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain a VA psychiatric examination and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was found to be incurred during active military service. The Board also determined that bronchitis and a skin disorder were not related to his time in service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a psychiatric condition, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Board finds that further clarification is needed regarding the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disabilities and whether they are related to military service or pre-existing conditions.