Anxiety decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, SSA records, and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations.

For the entire appellate period, the Veteran's dysthymic disorder with anxiety symptoms has been manifested by severe impairment in social and occupational functioning due to such symptoms as impaired impulse control and difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances (including work or a work like setting), without evidence of total occupational and social impairment. Therefore, the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent are not met.

The Veteran's seizure disorder is rated at 80 percent, and he has service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board granted the claims for these conditions based on secondary service connection.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is manifested by symptoms such as frequent anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and impairment in work efficiency. The GAF scores range from 60 to 62, indicating moderate symptoms.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder, claimed as PTSD and mental health condition, is rated at the highest possible level of 70 percent due to significant impairment in work and social functioning.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for anxiety disorder and granted service connection for PTSD with secondary depressive and panic disorders. The evidence now shows that the Veteran experienced in-service stressors, including sexual assault and harassment, which led to her current psychiatric conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and granted service connection for anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing anxiety disorder was likely aggravated by his period of service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records from Dr. D.E. and Dr. R., as well as a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's anxiety disorder is related to his military service or secondary to his right ear hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence and a need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is incurred in service due to a personal assault, and thus grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, major depression, adjustment disorder, severe anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to December 6, 2006 and granted a rating of 70 percent from that date onward.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for generalized anxiety disorder was granted, with the effective date set at January 31, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding his acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The stressors are being evaluated in light of recent regulations.

The Veteran's varicose veins of the left leg were granted service connection. The appeals for sleep disorder and herpes virus simplex have been dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional examinations and development of the record.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received after the issuance of a supplemental statement of the case, and additional development is needed including obtaining an opinion from a VA physician regarding the relationship between service-connected conditions and the Veteran's death.

The Board found that a chronic acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD did not have its onset during active military service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, a pulmonary disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for depression and anxiety and panic attacks, as well as his claim for an increased rating for neuropathy of the right foot, require additional development. The case is being remanded to allow for further examination and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his military service and whether he experienced a personal assault during service.