Anxiety decisions — 2012

The Veteran's anxiety neurosis is currently rated at 50 percent, effective April 24, 2012. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder NOS, and depression are granted. The claim for secondary service connection for alcohol abuse is also granted.

The Board found that a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied the Veteran's claim.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining claims due to incomplete records.

The Board found that the Veteran's anxiety disorder is related to his service in Vietnam and granted service connection for this condition, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and related conditions including General Anxiety Disorder and Depression was denied as there is no current psychiatric disability found.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder, is being remanded due to the unavailability of VA treatment records from Little Rock, Arkansas VAMC. The Veteran will be provided with a proper notice regarding the unavailability of these records and given an opportunity to submit alternative evidence supporting his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder are etiologically related to his active duty service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fear of hostile military activity during his service in Afghanistan is consistent with the places, types, and circumstances of his service. A VA examiner diagnosed PTSD based on these experiences. Therefore, the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression, is related to active duty service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, with features of PTSD has been rated at 30 percent based on the severity and symptoms described.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's case to the RO for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a VA psychiatric examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective June 16, 2002. The Board finds that the Veteran's symptoms warrant this rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is related to his combat service in Iraq. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disabilities did not develop during service or within one year of discharge, and are not related to his military service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, is related to his time in service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is rated at 10 percent. The lumbosacral spine disability and headaches are also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran likely incurred PTSD and Anxiety Disorder, NOS during his military service, particularly due to combat events in Grenada, Panama, and Saudi Arabia. The claim for PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, was incurred during service. Service connection is granted for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA vocational rehabilitation records. The examiner must also provide an opinion regarding whether the service-connected left fifth finger aggravated his carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board found that the Veteran's vertigo and psychiatric disorder are not related to service, with the preponderance of evidence against a finding that they were incurred or aggravated by military service.