Anxiety decisions — 2010

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claims for service connection. His claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being required, and the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain VA examination reports and treatment records, as well as to schedule the Veteran for additional examinations if necessary. The case will be reviewed again after these actions are completed.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if any of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities are related to service, including PTSD. The Veteran claims he witnessed two prisoners get shot and killed by military police officers during basic training at Fort Knox in May 1968.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding current diagnoses and a causal relationship between his military service and these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for anxiety neurosis was denied in September 1988. The Veteran filed a new claim for increased compensation for bipolar disorder on September 8, 1992. The Board found that the criteria for a 70 percent rating were met from September 8, 1991 to April 16, 2001.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder claimed as stress and anxiety disorder, and for a low back disorder. The Veteran's claims were based on direct evidence rather than presumptive exposure to environmental factors or other theories.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety disorder and diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other conditions leading to these disabilities.

The Veteran's anxiety neurosis, which is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, has been granted a higher rating of 70 percent effective September 22, 2005.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, depression, fatigue, memory loss, heart disorder, and skin disorder have been granted.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

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

The Board found that the disability picture associated with the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder more closely approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent schedular rating for the entire appeal period.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, as these conditions are not attributable to service or any abnormal psychiatric symptoms noted in service.

The Veteran's hearing loss of the right ear is service-connected, while his hearing loss of the left ear and tinnitus are not. The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is also not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression, are not related to service or due to his service-connected right knee and right hip conditions. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for his acquired psychiatric disabilities, including anxiety and panic disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD based on a verified stressor related to his military service. The VA examinations and medical records do not support a finding of service connection for depressive disorder or anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions and records, particularly from SSA.