Anxiety decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Depression, is being remanded due to the need for further development of his claims.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder has been characterized by irritability, sleep disturbances, nightmares, depression, impaired recent memory, and occasional auditory hallucinations, resulting in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board finds that the criteria for a 50 percent rating have been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service in Vietnam exposed him to wounded military personnel, leading to his current diagnosis of PTSD. The claim is granted as the evidence supports a link between his service and his current condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder more closely approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating for the portion of the appeal period prior to August 5, 2010.

The Board denied an increased rating for anxiety reaction with tinnitus aurium, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including depressive disorder and PTSD, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred therein. The VA examiner stated that there was insufficient evidence to state that the Veteran's depression is secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches.

The Board found that there was no competent medical evidence establishing a diagnosis of PTSD based on an in-service traumatic event or stressor, and the weight of the competent medical evidence is against a nexus between the post-service diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder and service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and service personnel records. The Veteran will also be scheduled for a psychiatric examination to determine if he meets the criteria for PTSD related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity while on active duty.

The Board denied service connection for an anxiety disorder but granted service connection for depression. The Veteran's current psychiatric conditions include depression, dysthymia, and a nonspecified mood disorder.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for anxiety disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the June 2010 VA examination report is inadequate for adjudication purposes and requires remand for an additional examination by another examiner. The Veteran's mental health history, including her assertions of depression during service, must be considered in determining whether she has a current psychiatric disorder related to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have PTSD, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied. The claims for psychiatric disability other than PTSD (to include anxiety and depression), testicle disability, and prostate disability are also denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to active duty.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for generalized anxiety disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding the severity of his condition. A new VA examination is needed to reassess the severity of his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim due to the need for additional evidence and a retrospective medical examination to determine if S.R.C., the Veteran's son, was permanently incapable of self-support at age 18.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence does not support a relationship between the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders and her service, including in-service personal assaults.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety, depression, and muscular tenderness of unclear etiology results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, which is related to his military service. Service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder was not established due to lack of combat participation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but further examination is needed to determine if he is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran seeks to reopen his service connection claim for diabetes mellitus type 2, as well as claims for peripheral neuropathy and PTSD. The case is being remanded due to the need to address a clear and unmistakable error in the August 2002 rating decision denying service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2.