Anxiety decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case for a new opinion from a VA psychiatrist regarding whether the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities are related to service, and for obtaining records of any in-service psychiatric consultations.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety, did not have onset during service or due to an injury or disease in service. The claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder with PTSD features is not manifested by symptoms that warrant a higher rating, and the current evaluation of 30 percent remains appropriate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a PTSD rating and his claim of CUE in the November 1947 decision reducing his PTSD rating from 50% to 10%. The Board found that the reduction was not based on clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression/panic disorder. The evidence now supports a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, which preexisted service and was aggravated by his military service, did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, adjustment disorder, organic mood disorder, panic attacks and nervous breakdown, were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizophrenia, major depression, anxiety disorder, rule out agoraphobia, and a nervous condition is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims file.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically an anxiety disorder and depression, has been rated at 30 percent since the grant of service connection. The symptoms have included occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to outstanding records and the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for generalized anxiety disorder with symptoms of panic and chronic fatigue syndrome as a result of an undiagnosed illness. The claims for lumbar spine disorder, psychiatric disorder, and right ear hearing loss have been denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to MST. The evidence submitted since the prior denial is new and material, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with anxiety disorder, NOS is being remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding whether it is possible to separate the symptoms of nonservice-connected bipolar disorder from those of service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, an anxiety disorder NOS, and an anxiety disorder with psychosis, are attributable to service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new VA audiology examination and an updated VCAA notice letter to inform the Veteran of the evidence necessary to substantiate his claims. The Veteran will be asked to provide any further information or evidence as may serve to support alleged stressors in service supportive of his PTSD claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to corroborate alleged stressor events in service and determine if any psychiatric disability is related to such events.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety (panic), are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The Veteran was exposed to combat in Iraq, which is sufficient evidence for service connection under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1154(b).

The Board finds that the Veteran's anxiety disorder not otherwise specified has been productive of no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder has been rated at 30 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks due to depressed mood, chronic anxiety, suspiciousness, and chronic sleep impairment along with social isolation.