Anxiety decisions — 2011

The Veteran's tuberculosis, hypertension, and anxiety disorder claims are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, and the evidence is in equipoise as to whether his service-connected conditions prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his fear of hostile military activity during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to evaluate the current severity of his service-connected anxiety disorder, as he has reported worsening symptoms and retirement from employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a comprehensive VA examination and additional development of his treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess her service-connected generalized anxiety disorder and any other psychiatric disability. The RO must also obtain all pertinent treatment records from the Springfield VA Outpatient Clinic.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder not otherwise specified is related to his military service in Vietnam, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to her death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and thus, did not address whether it caused or aggravated any other disorders. The Board also found that his diagnosed mental disorders were not related to active service.,PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, bilateral hip disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, polymyalgia rheumatica, back disability, neck disability, and weight gain and obesity are not considered service-connected as they are deemed to be secondary to his service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and his adjustment disorder was related to recent personal events, not service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to inadequate search for service treatment records and failure to provide adequate notice regarding alternative medical evidence. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being returned for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current chronic disability of the shoulder blades or weak feet, and there is no evidence to support service connection for these conditions. The claims for secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and gastrocnemius atrophy are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's reported stressors during his Vietnam service are consistent with fear of hostile military activity and have been confirmed by a VA psychologist. The Veteran is now entitled to service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and severity of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including whether any are related to his active duty military service.

The VA determined that the Veteran's anxiety reaction with various somatic and GI complaints does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a headache disorder was denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder due to military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's asthma and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was previously denied, but new and material evidence has been received to reopen this claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected residuals of shrapnel injury to the right shoulder and anxiety disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.