Anxiety decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including urinary incontinence, spinal stenosis, anxiety disorder, and others, have prevented him from securing and maintaining gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders have been rated based on their severity, with a current evaluation of 50 percent.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has not met the criteria for an increased rating beyond 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder NOS was granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent prior to October 19, 2011 and a subsequent increased evaluation of 50 percent effective on that date. The claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence on file for a decision, and ordered that the Veteran's complete VA and private treatment records be obtained. The claim will be reviewed after this additional development.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for further development to verify his reported stressors and obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature of any current psychiatric disorders, their etiology, and whether they are related to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, increased ratings for residuals of right ankle injury and myositis, and an earlier effective date for a rating increase were denied. The Veteran is not entitled to an earlier effective date than March 21, 2002, for the award of a 10 percent disability rating for his service-connected residuals of right ankle injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder NOS are attributable to her active military service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder was productive of occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, but did not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder, depression, OCD, and dementia, are related to his military service. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression is rated at 50 percent disabling, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic code. The appeal for a higher rating or TDIU was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder are being remanded due to the need for further development of his medical records and examination.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claim for an increased rating for laryngeal cancer residuals and service connection for PTSD and MDD were both found to be without merit. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and mood disorder NOS, is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records, Social Security Administration records, and any relevant service personnel records.

The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rate of special monthly compensation for aid and attendance under section 1114(r) due to his current SMC rates.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, claimed as short term memory loss and sleep disturbance, is attributable to service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records, conduct a VA examination, and determine whether any diagnosed conditions are related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the provision of relevant medical records. The issues include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and a compensable disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his hypertension and anxiety disorder, as well as the need for a statement of the case on the increased rating issue.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient medical evidence to determine whether the Veteran needs regular aid and attendance or is permanently housebound due to service-connected disabilities, non-service connected disabilities, or if it is possible to separate out the effects of the nonservice-connected and service-connected disabilities in this regard. The case is therefore REMANDED for further development.