Anxiety decisions — 2011

The appellant's claim for nonservice-connected burial benefits was timely filed and granted as the Veteran was in receipt of compensation at the time of his death.

The Board granted the Veteran's entitlement to an earlier effective date of April 1, 2006 for additional dependency allowance for a spouse. The issue of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, drug abuse, and mental illness (including attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder) will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and panic disorders, based on the Veteran's in-service exposure to traumatic events during his service in Korea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric condition, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety disorder, as a result of his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of an in-service stressor or continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder are not service-connected as secondary to his PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30%.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development of the medical evidence to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions are related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's thoracic scoliosis and psychiatric disabilities. The rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including panic disorder, bipolar disorder, mood disorder, and anxiety disorder, as well as a TDIU claim, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder with anxiety, was incurred in or aggravated by service. The presumption of soundness is not overcome.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a TDIU is dismissed as it does not meet the threshold pleading requirements.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic pain syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The Veteran was also denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right wrist disability prior to November 18, 2005, and a rating in excess of 20 percent since that date. Service connection for TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and private medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, including anxiety and depression, have been considered. However, the current evaluations for PTSD are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development, including locating a potential witness of racial discrimination and obtaining their statement.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during his active service or a link between the condition and his military service.

The Veteran is entitled to special monthly pension benefits based on the need for aid and attendance of another person due to his disabilities, including diabetic neuropathy, glaucoma, vertigo, and memory loss. His combined nonservice-connected disability rating for pension purposes is 90 percent.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected coronary artery disease, status myocardial infarction, and coronary artery bypass grafting.,For the time period from May 1, 2006 to January 12, 2009, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development of the evidence is required to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. This includes a new VA psychiatric examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, are at least as likely as not related to her military service due to aggravation of a pre-existing personality disorder during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.