Anxiety decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and somatoform disorders, are not related to his military service. The evidence does not show a nexus between any diagnosed condition and his active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an innocently acquired psychiatric disability due to disease or injury incurred in service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current anxiety and depression did not manifest during service or are otherwise related to his service-connected disabilities, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot and ankle disability, finding that the Veteran's current disability is at least as likely as not attributable to documented in-service injuries. The claims for heart disability and psychiatric disability are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus, depressive disorder with anxiety, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and/or an anxiety disorder) are all found to be related to service. The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorder and fatigue, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for secondary service connection to his lumbar spine disability was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need to clarify his periods of active duty. The Board will address these issues in a subsequent decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran experienced seizures in service and has post-service continuity of symptomatology, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, was rated at 70 percent effective May 19, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and other conditions, is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of her claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the extent of his disability and whether his alcohol and drug use are secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a psychiatric examination and a digestive disorders examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and increased rating for residuals of hemicolectomy and resected terminal ileum are pending.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability associated with service-connected tinea versicolor is rated at 10 percent, effective March 7, 1995. The right hip disability issue has been remanded.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records, and then to readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety reaction with depression is currently rated at 70 percent, which reflects the severity of his symptoms and impairment. The Board found that he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to his overall functioning.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for anxiety disorder has been withdrawn. The Board grants service connection for a back disability.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his generalized anxiety disorder and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records, including those from December 2007 to February 2011. A supplemental report must be obtained that considers these missing treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran has a current acquired psychiatric disorder related to his service and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence did not establish a link between his current symptoms and service.