Anxiety decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a decision on the merits can be made regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's statements regarding combat stressors are considered credible and should be taken into account in any opinion regarding nexus between his current psychiatric disabilities and service.

The Veteran's anxiety reaction is productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent that it meets the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of his claims.

The Board has determined that an anxiety disorder not otherwise specified with PTSD features is related to the Veteran's service in Vietnam, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. However, no other psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are found to be related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety, is being remanded due to the need for an examination to determine the etiology of any current psychiatric disability. The examiner will also be asked to specify whether the Veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder was rated at 10 percent prior to July 28, 2008. From July 28, 2008, the rating was increased to 30 percent effective February 14, 2011.

The Board found service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, PTSD, and anxiety disorder) granted. However, the left hand disability claim was denied, as were the TDIU claims due to the left hand disability.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder warranted a 50 percent rating effective July 5, 2007, based on increased severity of symptoms since the last VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his service-connected sleep apnea syndrome. The claim will be readjudicated after all necessary steps have been taken.

The Veteran met the schedular requirements for a TDIU on October 18, 2004 and his effective date is set to that day.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including a psychiatric disorder, joint pain, chronic diarrhea, headaches, pseudotumor cerebri, and low back disorder, all of which are found to be related to the Veteran's active duty in the Southwest Asia theater during the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected low back disability and an opinion on whether he is unemployable due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to verify the claimed in-service stressor and obtain a VA examination if necessary.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The claim was previously denied in May 1995 due to lack of evidence linking any current disability to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder and depression are service-connected, with a rating of 30% effective as of the date of decision.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder was granted a 30 percent rating, effective from June 2010. The claim for hepatitis C remains pending.,Service connection for an anxiety disorder has been established, but the denial of service connection for hepatitis C means that this condition is not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his in-service stressor claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder and there is no competent evidence linking any diagnosed psychiatric condition to service. The Veteran's dementia precludes evaluation for posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for anxiety reaction with depression and finds that there is sufficient evidence to support a finding of service connection, including from VA treating physician's opinion linking current depression to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and a comprehensive VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her psychiatric disorders.