Anxiety decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim due to inadequate VA examination and failure to provide notice of regulatory amendments.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder, or sleep difficulties. The claim for TDIU is also under consideration.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, a skin disorder, and hypertension have been granted. The Veteran's anxiety disorder was found to be related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for anxiety disorder, but granted an effective date of December 17, 2009, for service connection for PAT with tachycardia. The Veteran's initial rating for PAT remains at 30 percent.,Anxiety Disorder was not found to be related to active service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for depression and anxiety disorder. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorders found to be present, including whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, effective October 7, 2007. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his occupational and social functioning.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD was granted, effective from the date of the grant. The Veteran also received service connection for all acquired psychiatric disabilities in addition to PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety have been granted service connection, effective October 30, 2007. The initial disability rating for PTSD is set at 50 percent.

The Board is remanding the case to schedule a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The Veteran's claims for service connection and reopening of his irregular heartbeat claim are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further examination and development of his claims, including an increased evaluation for his service-connected depression with anxiety features and a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder had its onset in service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder was aggravated during his military service and is therefore granted service connection. The claim for memory loss due to an undiagnosed illness cannot be established as there is no clear evidence of such a condition in service or currently.

The Board found no evidence of PTSD or other service-connected psychiatric conditions and denied the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety, depression, and PTSD was denied as there is no competent medical evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's GAD was rated at 50 percent for the period from November 21, 2003 to November 11, 2009. The appeal for a higher rating of 70 percent was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other conditions, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and verify a reported stressor.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder, residuals of cold injury to the right foot, and cold injury to the right hand with an effective date of January 23, 2012. The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, diagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, is not manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The Board has determined that the criteria for a rating greater than 50 percent have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected acne vulgaris with scarring caused or aggravated his diagnosed bipolar disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA mental disorders examination to determine if the Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety alone makes him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.