Anxiety decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including anxiety disorder and dysthymic disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence did not show a current disability during service or within one year of separation, nor was there sufficient medical evidence to establish a link between his military service and these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar ankylosing spondylitis, bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, and anxiety disorder NOS with pain disorder were denied. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including anxiety reaction with a history of PTSD and multiple physical impairments, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board grants the TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and PTSD have been evaluated based on their current manifestations, with the anxiety disorder rated at 30 percent from May 23, 2008 to September 25, 2011, and PTSD rated at 50 percent from September 26, 2011. The Veteran's conditions have not met criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for initial consideration of the reopened claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim encompasses any psychiatric disorder.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an updated VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability including PTSD, anxiety, and depression; a cervical spine disability; a lumbar spine disability; and residuals of a head injury (including headaches) due to in-service trauma.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current chronic maxillary sinusitis and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be related to her military service, and she is granted service connection for this condition. The Board finds the evidence insufficient to establish a direct link between her anxiety and major depression and her military service.

The case is being remanded to the RO for additional clarification on whether the Veteran's depression is causally related to service. The AMC/RO must ensure that all development actions have been conducted and completed in full.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining the Veteran's personnel records and scheduling a VA examination. The appeal will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further development and clarification of his claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and review of all relevant records.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination for an opinion on whether the Veteran's anxiety disorder had its onset or is otherwise related to his service, specifically his deployment in Honduras.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is reasonably shown to be related to his combat experiences in Vietnam, and service connection for a psychiatric disability including PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical opinions to address whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's death was caused by renal failure, bacteremia, sepsis and respiratory failure. The Board finds that his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder did not cause or contribute to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that the Veteran's account of military sexual trauma is credible and attributing his current diagnosis of PTSD to this in-service stressor.

The Board found that the objective evidence did not establish a connection between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, and his military service.