Anxiety decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and review of his treatment records. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected anxiety disorder remains pending, as does the issue of eligibility for a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including providing proper VCAA notice and obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to consider all psychiatric diagnoses, including PTSD based on alleged personal assault in service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, are considered to be related to his time in active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD or an anxiety disorder due to service-related stressors. The claim for service connection for left knee DJD and a separate rating for left leg numbness/radiculopathy is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran had a service-connected psychiatric condition, including PTSD, and whether it contributed to his death. The appeal for burial allowance will be deferred as it is inextricably intertwined with the claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records, including those from Vet Centers and private providers.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. Service connection will be adjudicated for all diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claim was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic in-service condition or continuous symptomatology post-service.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, claimed as anxiety disorder and PTSD. The Veteran's current diagnoses of bipolar disorder and alcohol abuse are not related to his military service or any inservice head injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as PTSD, is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD due to a verified stressor incurred in service and concludes that service connection is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain pertinent records and provide a VA examination.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is granted as service connected, with the diagnosis being a direct result of his in-service experiences.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic obstructive and restrictive lung disease, major depressive disorder and anxiety, onychomycosis (secondary to diabetes mellitus), left shoulder disability, hypertension (secondary to diabetes mellitus), heart disease (including congestive heart failure and edema of the legs) (presumptively due to Agent Orange exposure), PTSD, and granted an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus. The Board also remanded the issue of SMC based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has granted TDIU based on his service-connected coronary artery disease. The issue of an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for anxiety disorder remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional examination and development due to insufficient detail in previous medical opinions, incomplete documentation of service stressors, and failure to consider updated regulations regarding PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied, but his anxiety disorder NOS was granted and found to be related to service. The rating assigned is 30%.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder NOS, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records and for a medical nexus opinion regarding the relationship between his current psychiatric condition and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD and his anxiety disorder and depression are not related to service. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.