Anxiety decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The other conditions are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia, PTSD, and anxiety/depression (claimed as mood disorder) due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD and whether his current diagnoses of major depression and anxiety disorder are related to his military service.

The Board has withdrawn the appellant's appeal for PTSD and denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, as well as IBS. The Board found no nexus between the appellant's active military duty and his currently shown psychiatric disorders or IBS.

The Veteran's service connection claim for cervical and lumbar degenerative disc disease with lumbar spondylosis is granted. The claim for depression and anxiety remains pending as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not entitled to special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance due to her physical and mental disabilities. However, she meets the criteria for special monthly pension on account of being housebound.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and anxiety disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, psychosis, and anxiety disorder, are found to be related to his military service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder was rated at 50 percent prior to March 25, 2010, and the Board finds this rating is appropriate based on his symptoms of flattened affect, panic attacks, difficulty understanding complex commands, short-term memory impairment, impaired judgment, abstract thinking, disturbances in motivation and mood, and difficulties in establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is found to be related to his service in Vietnam, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and plantar fasciitis of the left foot are being remanded due to incomplete development. The VA examiner is requested to provide more detailed opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted. The decision also noted that the Veteran's diagnoses included anxiety and depression at the time of the last final decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to assess his employability and impact of all disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and adjustment disorder with anxiety, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The case will be reviewed after obtaining all relevant medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

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

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including an opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is linked to his cold weather exposure during service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, which now includes a psychiatric disorder. The Appellant's request for accrued benefits based on claims pending at the time of the Veteran's death is also granted.