Anxiety decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and clarifying diagnoses.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS with PTSD symptoms resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 50 percent rating since October 7, 2010.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional left shoulder disability as a result of VA treatment.

The Veteran's initial increased rating claim for PTSD with major depression and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression was denied. The RO continued the Veteran's disability rating at 30 percent, effective June 3, 1994.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder has been characterized by depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. The initial rating of 30% for the period prior to November 21, 2007, was granted; a higher rating of 50% is now granted from that date. For the period beginning May 27, 2009, the Veteran's psychiatric disorder has been characterized by persistent depression and suicidal ideation, leading to a grant of a 70% initial disability rating.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including her personality disorder, were aggravated by an in-service sexual assault. Therefore, service connection for aggravation of a personality disorder is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of anxiety and schizoaffective disorders, finding no clear and unmistakable error in the July 1977 rating decision that initially denied service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or hearing loss, but he did meet the criteria for an anxiety disorder NOS. The claim is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety with chronic sleep impairment, finding that the Veteran's current disability is attributable to his military service. The claim for service connection for sleepwalking remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The Board has ordered remand due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, diverticulitis, and an acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD and anxiety disorder). The claim for service connection for prostate cancer was withdrawn by the Veteran. Service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service stressor. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include anxiety disorder is also denied due to lack of medical evidence linking it to military service.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression and anxiety disorders, that had its onset during active military service. Therefore, service connection was denied.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, effective March 16, 2005.

The Board has determined that generalized anxiety disorder, including memory loss, had its onset during the Veteran's active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. The Veteran's psychiatric disability claims will be evaluated with a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to service and have denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active military service or periods of ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder), and a disability of the female reproductive system. The appeal is remanded to obtain additional development regarding the stressor allegations.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and residuals of surgery to correct Poland's syndrome. This includes obtaining Social Security Administration records, VA treatment records, and a VA examination.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent, and service connection for her psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder) is granted. The rating for the lumbar spine disability remains unchanged.