Anxiety decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, which is related to his service in Iraq. The Board finds that this condition meets the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete hearing transcript and the need for a new hearing. The issues of service connection are still pending.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and fibromyalgia are all granted. The Veteran experienced traumatic events during his service in the Persian Gulf War, which led to a diagnosis of PTSD. His fibromyalgia is considered an undiagnosed illness related to his service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination. The issues are whether service connection should be granted for his acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, with consideration of it being secondary to his right knee and right ankle conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for PTSD and anxiety are one in the same, constituting an earlier claim for PTSD based on his earlier claim for anxiety. As such, DJL is eligible for attorney fees based on the grant of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, is being considered on a direct basis. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim, but further development is needed to determine if service connection can be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development of his claims, including obtaining outstanding VA and private treatment records. The case will be readjudicated after all requested actions are completed.

The Veteran's back disability, GSW residuals of the left thigh, adjustment disorder, abdominal scar, and surgical scars on the back are all rated as they currently stand without additional compensation.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his military service events and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and the relationship between his current psychiatric disabilities and service. The Veteran is required to provide additional information about specific dates of events, such as being detained by police in Panama or witnessing a civilian death in Somalia.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder is not shown to be due to a disease or injury in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 50 percent rating for his service-connected anxiety disorder was denied as the earliest that it can be factual ascertained is October 7, 2005.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with gastrointestinal symptoms is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA administrative decision and supporting medical records, as well as scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, but granted him service connection for major depressive disorder and anxiety effective June 2, 2006. The Veteran requested an earlier effective date for his PTSD claim, which was withdrawn as part of a broader appeal.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as including a number of symptoms of PTSD but not meeting the criteria for PTSD and diagnosed as an anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, was found to be incurred in active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for schizophrenia, an acquired psychiatric disability (including major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder), and entitlement to a TDIU. The denial was based on lack of new and material evidence for schizophrenia and the absence of a causal relationship between the claimed conditions and service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service and may have been aggravated by a pre-existing personality disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a new VA psychiatric examination. The case will be remanded to the RO for further action.