Anxiety decisions — 2012

The Veteran seeks service connection for various psychiatric conditions, an ulcer, and hemorrhoids. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain Social Security Administration records, arrange for a VA examination, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The claim for reopening of his headache claim was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder have been rated at 30 percent combined since January 16, 2008. The Board finds that the current symptomatology does not warrant a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and Anxiety Disorder NOS, is being remanded due to the need for additional development, specifically a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection as his psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal regarding lumbosacral disc derangement. The claim for an increased rating for sciatic nerve involvement with sensory loss of the left second toe is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for an anxiety disorder with depression, including obtaining his personnel records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and examination, including consideration of whether the Veteran's claimed stressors are consistent with his service and whether he meets the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. As such, secondary service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that any acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety disorder and PTSD, was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as a major depressive disorder and an anxiety disorder NOS, was incurred during active military service. Service connection for hepatitis C is denied.

The Veteran's current major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are related to his service-connected lumbosacral degenerative disc disease. The Board grants these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination and consideration of the added medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient data regarding the Veteran's stressors and symptoms, and the need for a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed psychiatric disorder is not related to his period of active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Board hearing at the appropriate Regional Office (RO). The issues are related to reopening service connection claims and establishing eligibility for treatment.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of a right ankle injury is denied because the injury occurred while walking to and from classes as part of his vocational rehabilitation program, which was not an essential activity or function of the training.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to establish the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions and their relationship to service. The Veteran will be asked to provide information about his treatment history, including any private hospitalizations or VA care providers who have treated him for a psychiatric disorder since discharge from service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD and other conditions such as anxiety disorder not otherwise specified and major depressive disorder, all resulting from his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his condition has not worsened and he has not sustained a substantial loss of independence, thus the criteria for continuation of independent living services program under Chapter 31 have not been met.