Anxiety decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development due to issues related to service connection for psychiatric conditions, diabetes, and hypertension.

The Board finds that the Veteran's skin disorder of the feet is at least as likely as not incurred in service, and his psychiatric disability (including PTSD and anxiety disorder) is secondary to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for both conditions has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as its impact on employment. The Veteran's claims for service connection and pension are being reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current right and left ankle disorders as well as any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for tinea pedis has been withdrawn. The Board finds that service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder, depression, stress, anxiety, panic attacks, social phobia, bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Service connection is also granted for insomnia, with the condition being secondary to service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient VA examination and treatment records, requiring additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder substantially contributed to his death, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depression and anxiety (for accrued benefits purposes) were denied. However, service connection was granted for schizophrenia (for accrued benefits purposes).

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected bronchial asthma. The claims for costochondritis and lumbar paravertebral myositis are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim should be remanded for further development, including securing Vet Center treatment records and a psychiatric examination to determine if PTSD is related to his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including diagnoses of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The Board finds that further development is necessary before a decision on the merits may be made.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder with dysthymia and alcohol abuse, is service-connected. The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's psychiatric and neurological conditions, as well as determine if service connection should be granted for these conditions. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is manifested by severe depression, moderate to severe anxiety, anger, irritability, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, mood swings, feeling of worthlessness, hopelessness, affective instability, impaired short-term memory and attention, social isolation, lack of interest and motivation, suicidal gestures, and self-harming behaviors. She was granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent for major depressive disorder.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety disorder, NOS, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. The decision also addresses the issue of TDIU.

The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders are attributable to service, with the Board finding that they meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the cause of the Veteran's death and its relationship, if any, to his service-connected disabilities. The case will be remanded for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as additional development of service connection claims for throat cancer, psychiatric disorder, and a growth on the left leg. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his claims file.

The Veteran is seeking compensation for adverse outcomes related to a colonoscopy and service connection for depression and anxiety as secondary to those outcomes. The case has been remanded due to the need for a Board hearing at the RO.