Anxiety decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders (depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder) were aggravated as a result of his active service from July 1977 to April 1978, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of exposure to incoming fire and other psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder, to include on an extraschedular basis, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of whether an extraschedular evaluation is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new information.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including emotional anxiety and depressive disorder. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of her condition.

The Veteran's back disability is not service-connected as it existed prior to service and was not aggravated during service. The claim for PTSD cannot be granted due to lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors occurred, given his non-compliance with examination requests. The psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is also not service-connected.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder did not cause or materially contribute to his death by cardiopulmonary arrest.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of the claims, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and considering new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder was granted a 10 percent disability rating, but no other service connection claims were decided in this decision.

The Board found no medical nexus between the Veteran's current anxiety and depression disorders and his in-service difficulties, thus denying service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's major depressive disorder without psychotic features and generalized anxiety disorder are related to service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions were not incurred in or caused by his military service and a psychosis may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain verification of in-service stressors and to schedule a VA examination for an assessment of the Veteran's psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder and dysthymia have been rated at 50 percent since March 2005. The current rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms, which include excessive worry, restlessness, decreased concentration, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbance, low energy, low self-esteem, poor concentration, and suicidal ideation.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on May 2, 2008 for treatment by LifeNet and at the Wadley ER were approved as all charges were related to an emergent condition that required immediate medical attention.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a TDIU for the period prior to October 13, 2004.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, is currently rated at 50 percent disabling. The evidence shows significant impairment in social and occupational functioning but not to the extent warranting a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a hearing request.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety and assigned a 30 percent rating, effective October 10, 2007. The Veteran's condition is currently shown to be productive of occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.