Anxiety decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder was denied as there were no prior informal or formal claims received before September 23, 2004.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder has been rated at 10 percent since August 2001. From August 3, 2005, the rating was increased to 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and a need for further development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the occurrence of in-service stressors and the link between current psychiatric disorders and service. The Veteran will be provided a comprehensive VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and personnel records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, and his claim for an increased rating for anxiety disorder was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD, and the current symptoms were more consistent with anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder and COPD are found to be related to service. The skin rash is not linked to service, but the Board finds that there is no evidence of a current left shoulder disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for otitis media, costochondritis, and left upper extremity ulnar neuropathy. The claim for service connection for these conditions is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and any anxiety disorder is secondary to his service-connected diabetes. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU and dependency benefits were denied as there was no evidence of unemployability or change in dependents status prior to the assigned effective dates.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, are not service-connected as they did not occur during his military service and there is no credible evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder and cognitive disorder with dementia, cause total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance in the activities of daily living, thus denying his claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD with depressive features, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are due to his combat experiences in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development due to issues related to service connection for various conditions, including an undiagnosed illness and gastrointestinal disorders.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability to include PTSD, anxiety and depression.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, lumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability due to lack of credible evidence supporting the occurrence of the claimed stressors. The Board also found no current diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV criteria and concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish a causal link between any diagnosed conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal as to the claim of service connection for gastroenteritis is dismissed. The Board finds that the Veteran did not provide sufficient information or authorization for obtaining additional pertinent treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including verifying his address and scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and the issuance of a statement of the case regarding his claim for PTSD.