Anxiety decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety was initially granted and assigned a 30 percent disability evaluation effective December 27, 2006. The claim remains in appellate status as the Veteran seeks an increased rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction, right bundle branch block, hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, and a psychiatric disability (PTSD and anxiety). The decision found that new evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety and panic disorders and an upper back disorder, finding that there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently shown glaucoma and anxiety disorder are not related to his active military service. The low back disorder claim is remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical inquiry into the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder and retrieval of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, characterized by depression and anxiety, has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The disability is currently rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his anxiety disorder has been dismissed as the representative withdrew the appeal after a grant of Individual Unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including borderline personality disorder, anxiety disorder, depression, and PTSD, are not service-connected due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service. The VA examiners have concluded that the Veteran suffers from a personality disorder, which is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depression, and anxiety, has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas since April 28, 2008. Total occupational and social impairment is not shown.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 21, 2006 for her service connection of anxiety disorder. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased rating for hemorrhoids, service connection for mental disability (generalized anxiety disorder), sexual dysfunction, right ankle and shoulder disabilities, and reopening of previously denied claims for bilateral knee and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has granted the claim for secondary service connection for anxiety and depression, finding that it is related to a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his claimed conditions have been denied. The Board found that the submitted evidence was not new and material to reopen the claim of service connection, and did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for generalized anxiety disorder.

The Board finds the Veteran credible in his reports of stressful experiences during service in Greenland and concludes that there is a nexus between his reported in-service stressors and his current GAD. Service connection for GAD is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and other related conditions, is granted. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran has these diagnoses based on reported in-service stressors consistent with his military service.

The Veteran's sleep disorder and anxiety disorder are presumed to be due to his service in the Gulf War, specifically exposure to herbicides. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining employment information from his last full-time employer and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected sinusitis and its impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and hypertension are not rated higher than the current 30 percent for the periods prior to November 7, 2005, from January 1, 2006 through July 14, 2008, and from September 1, 2008 through April 10, 2009. The Veteran's depressive disorder and anxiety disorder are not service-connected.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary due to changes in VA regulations and the need for a comprehensive psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claim will be remanded for these purposes.