Anxiety decisions — 2011

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood has been rated as 10% since September 8, 2008. The evaluations for the left and right knee strains remain unknown due to lack of specific information in the decision.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive reaction associated with anxiety was rated at 70 percent prior to September 16, 2005. The claim for a TDIU prior to that date is denied.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and depression have been found to be related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, allowing for service connection. The Board also granted the claim of TDIU based on these disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to her failure to appear at a scheduled hearing. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA examination(s) and SSA records, as well as any other relevant treatment records. The Veteran will be scheduled for an updated VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected PTSD with depression and the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD with depression, including anxiety.

The Board has determined that there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder related to service, specifically depression. As such, the claim for service connection for depression is granted.

The evidence does not show that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his service.

The Veteran's PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder was initially rated at 30 percent prior to December 19, 2008 and increased to 50 percent from that date. The appeal is granted for the period prior to December 19, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran needs to be provided with a VA examination for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further medical examination and opinion regarding whether the Appellant's current psychiatric disorders are related to her service or Reserve service. The appeal is pending as a result of the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral glaucoma, and a corneal scar of the right eye were adjudicated. Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), but denied for bilateral glaucoma and a corneal scar of the right eye.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various symptoms including headaches, dizziness, fainting, lack of coordination, memory loss, confusion, anxiety, and depression. The Board finds that clarification is needed regarding the Veteran's duty status on dates when he received anthrax vaccinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal with respect to the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, anxiety disorder, depression, a heart condition, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder were denied as the evidence did not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD. The service connection was granted for anxiety disorder and depressive disorder based on their causal relationship to active duty service.

The Veteran's GAD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating above 70 percent is not warranted. The Veteran also meets criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that no disability incurred in or aggravated by service caused or contributed to his death.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. However, it was determined that the Veteran's current diagnosed depressive disorder is not related to his service-connected left shoulder disability or active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any current acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, had its onset in active service. The claim will be reviewed de novo after the examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, SSA records, and any additional medical examination. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include bipolar disorder is pending.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow any substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.