Anxiety decisions — 2012

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his military service in Korea.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder with anxiety and depression is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, effective October 2006. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, are not shown to be related to military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorders did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service and were not related to his service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an anxiety disorder and granted it. The Veteran's claim for service connection for Influenza virus was not substantiated.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various conditions and claims, including those related to his knee replacements, ankle disorders, carotid stenosis, and right leg wounds. The appeals were addressed in the context of rating decisions and effective dates.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood has been granted service connection, and he is currently rated at 50 percent disabling since July 1, 2009.

The Veteran's current mood disorder is found to be at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for depression and anxiety, which she believes are related to her military service. She also seeks an increased rating for her right carpal tunnel neuropathy. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, as it was incurred during his active military service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, effective from June 25, 2009.

The Board found that the appellant's pre-existing psychiatric disorder was aggravated by his military service and may be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for service-related PTSD and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder were caused or aggravated by a personal assault in service. His allergies pre-existed entry into service and did not permanently increase in severity during service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the initial rating for Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Depressive Disorder not otherwise specified prior to and from May 25, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied as there is no current evidence of a right ear hearing loss disability or an acquired psychiatric disability, including panic disorder and anxiety. The Veteran's hypertension and skin rash disabilities are currently rated appropriately.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, except for the left knee instability claim which was granted. The right flank disability remains at a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for anxiety disorder was denied as there is no evidence that a claim for this condition was received prior to November 19, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical records and provide a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, are related to his military service. The low back disability issue is also being remanded.