Anxiety decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the previous VA examination and need for additional development, including obtaining an addendum from a qualified examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been granted, and the Board is remanding for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) on his higher initial rating claims.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus, sinus condition, strictures in urethra, and residuals of cold injuries to the feet were not incurred or aggravated by his active military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was found to have caused occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, but not severe enough for a higher rating prior to December 29, 2010. After that date, the impairment did not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for anxiety disorder was denied. The VA examiner found no symptoms meeting the criteria for PTSD, and thus did not meet the DSM-IV criteria for PTSD.

The Board has determined that further examination and medical opinion are needed to resolve the claim for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder and bipolar disorder. The Veteran's pre-existing bipolar disorder is not presumed, but rather must be evaluated based on its relationship to his military service.

The Board denied the application to reopen the claim of service connection for residuals of an electrical shock, other than a left thumb scar. The decision was based on the lack of new and material evidence supporting any other claimed residuals.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder contributed substantially and materially to his death, which was caused by an acute myocardial infarction. The Board finds that the service-connected psychiatric disorder combined with other conditions to cause the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected mood disorder with anxiety and depression, low back sprain, right elbow strain, left elbow strain, and neck ligament sprain are being remanded to the RO for further development including additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The Board has remanded the case to clarify whether the Veteran's depression is causally related to service, and to verify the claimed PTSD stressors.

The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to undetermined natural causes, specifically a massive gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage. The service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed PTSD and anxiety disorder. The Veteran is required to provide additional information or evidence, and a VA examination will be scheduled.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating and earlier effective date for his service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder was granted. He is currently rated at 30 percent, effective June 29, 2009.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to make a fully informed decision on the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant service records and conducting medical examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and related conditions such as anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are linked to his in-service stressor of a jeep accident.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and verifying an in-service stressor. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, a depressive disorder, and alcohol use/dependence secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder is now pending.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed depression and anxiety, along with his bipolar I disorder, resulted in occupational and social impairment during the periods specified. He was granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder was rated at 50 percent prior to July 10, 2009, based on symptoms such as marked sleep disturbance, nightmares, depression, irritability, anger, and a tendency to isolate.