Anxiety decisions — 2012

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including mood disorder, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety, and depression, as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA psychiatric examination and providing her with VCAA notification regarding her contentions of personal sexual assault during service.

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 granted service connection for an anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his military service. The diagnosis of PTSD is not established.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, was manifested by depression, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, insomnia, panic attacks, some crying spells, hypervigilance, an exaggerated startle response, hallucinations, decreased energy, decreased interest, mood swings, anger and agitation, social isolation, and impaired memory. The Board found that the criteria for a 50 percent evaluation have been met.

The Board found no credible evidence of an in-service stressor related to the Veteran's claimed PTSD, and thus denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an eye disorder, and it is now considered. The bilateral blepharitis is found to be due to disease or injury that was incurred in active service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is granted. It is found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a right knee disorder.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disorder, and it is now considered. The Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is shown to be linked events that as likely as not happened during his period of active service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder is granted. It is found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a sleep disorder.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a disability manifested by multiple joint pains, and it is now considered. The Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is shown to be linked events that as likely as not happened during his period of active service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder is granted. It is found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, and it is now considered. The Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is shown to be linked events that as likely as not happened during his period of active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder was incurred in active duty, and service connection is granted for this condition. The claim for cocaine addiction (claimed as secondary to an anxiety disorder) remains pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD with depression and anxiety has been manifested by symptoms such as anxiety, nightmares, social isolation, diminished interest in activities, avoidance behavior, and sleep difficulties. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating of 70 percent or 100 percent due to his inability to establish effective relationships.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and readjudication, including obtaining medical records from his private physician and arranging for a VA examination to determine if he has PTSD or other psychiatric disabilities related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and verifying an in-service stressor. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder to include posttraumatic stress disorder, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder is pending.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a post-operative left wrist disability, to include lipoma excision residuals, and an anxiety disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional evidentiary development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder warrants a 30 percent disability rating throughout the appellate period, as his symptoms meet the criteria for such a rating. The current 10 percent evaluation is found to be inadequate and does not reflect the severity of his condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of depressive disorder with anxiety and neuralgia paresthetica of the bilateral thighs, finding that the earliest date of claim was May 20, 1996.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Central State Hospital records. The Veteran will be afforded a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, onset and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder found to be present.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of expanded issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include anxiety and depression. The claims for low back strain with arthritis and a left arm residual scar of a gunshot wound were also denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claims for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder can be decided. This includes obtaining VA treatment records, providing VCAA notice, and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.