Anxiety decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case to obtain SSA records and readjudicate the service connection and initial evaluation claims on appeal.

The Veteran's major depression and anxiety disorder are currently evaluated at 70 percent disabling, effective June 26, 2002. The claims for increased evaluations, earlier effective dates, and TDIU/DEA benefits remain denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is not shown to have begun during service and is not related to his military service. The preponderance of evidence is against the claim.

The Board has determined that an additional VA mental disorders examination and medical opinion is required to decide whether the Veteran has a current acquired psychiatric disorder related to military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional development, including a VA examination and Social Security Administration records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, including mental health treatment records from service hospitals and VA records of recent psychiatric evaluations. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is being reviewed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired chronic psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her claims file.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disability, including generalized anxiety disorder. The case must be remanded to obtain all available service treatment records and personnel records from his active duty service and National Guard service.

The Veteran's current anxiety disorder is found to be related to his military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for multiple sclerosis and remanded his claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, manifested by depression and anxiety are being remanded due to the need for additional development including verification of stressors and examination.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, diagnosed as panic disorder, is currently rated at 30 percent and effective from January 11, 2008. The VA has determined that the disability meets the criteria for a 30 percent rating based on its current manifestations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as his current diagnosis of PTSD is associated with in-service stressors related to fear of hostile military activity.

The Veteran's claim for a separate compensable initial rating for insomnia has been denied as the manifestations of his insomnia are essentially the same or similar to those associated with his service-connected dysthymia and anxiety.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions alone are of such severity as to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development and adjudication of his claims, including a potential claim for earlier effective date based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the April 2006 RO rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and medical records from Dr. Wasserman, to determine if he served in Vietnam and whether his current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral keratoconus.,Service connection was denied for lichen simplex chronicus, pruritis, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation as a result of in-service exposure. The Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish that his current condition is related to military service.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and development are needed for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for his service-connected osteoarthritis of the right knee and anxiety neurosis with conversion reaction, as well as a TDIU claim.