Anxiety decisions — 2011

The Veteran's cause of death, cardiorespiratory failure due to sepsis and renal failure, is found to be related to his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder which led to smoking. The Board finds the evidence in equipoise regarding whether the service-connected condition caused or contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected psychoneurosis, anxiety is currently rated at 30 percent disabling as of May 9, 2011. The evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The case will be reviewed again after obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a comprehensive VA examination.

The Veteran's dysthymia has been rated as 50 percent disabling from May 12, 1986 to November 2, 2001 and 70 percent thereafter. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination and further medical opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorders. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and to ensure all relevant evidence is considered.

The Veteran's chronic dysthymic disorder with anxiety has resulted in total occupational and social impairment throughout the appeal period, warranting a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 50 percent disability rating. The claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and ensuring proper consideration of his Social Security Administration disability benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is related to service, and grants this claim. The issue of service connection for PTSD remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service stressor involving seeing a nearly severed head fall back and hit him, which resulted from moving a body bag. The evidence supports this finding with corroborated stressor reports.

The Veteran's tinnitus, depression and anxiety disorder, cervical spine strain, and thoracic spine strain are all found to be related to service.,An initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for chondromalacia of the left knee is denied.

The Veteran's depressive and anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, was incurred in service. The Board granted the claim for this condition but denied it for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the appellant's anxiety disorder is not related to her military service, but she does have PTSD. The examiner concluded that she did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and found no link between her current psychiatric condition and her military service.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim that her acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, including depression and anxiety, was incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a cold injury to the bilateral hands was denied due to lack of current diagnosed disability. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted based on evidence showing a link between in-service stressors and current symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, as well as Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development and adjudication of his claims, including a TDIU claim. The Veteran will be provided with an opportunity to identify any relevant medical records and undergo VA examinations to determine the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is granted with a 50% evaluation. Service connection for PTSD and sleep apnea are also granted, while service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's anxiety/depressive disorder is manifested by chronic sleep disturbance and irritability, which most nearly approximates occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. With resolution of reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, the criteria for an initial disability rating of 30 percent have been met.