Anxiety decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to traumatic events during his military service, and grants service connection for this condition. The Board also found no evidence linking depression or anxiety disorders to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The case will be returned to the Board after this additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the appellant's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, NOS, causes occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas but not total impairment. The Board granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent for this disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, dysthymic disorder, major depression, and anxiety disorder, are related to his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Anxiety Disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed disability related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. However, the preponderance of the evidence is against finding any link between the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, Anxiety Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, and Panic Disorder, are related to her in-service sexual assault stressors. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for PTSD prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for residuals of prostate cancer was denied. The TDIU claim is also pending and requires further examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude gainful employment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings in both categories, resulting in the dismissal of these issues.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was noted at entry into service and is presumed to have existed prior to service. It was not aggravated by military service.,Left ear hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in service.,Seizure disorder was not diagnosed during the appeal period.,PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by military service and is not considered a compensable disability for VA purposes.,Tinnitus was not related to service. Lung disability, including granulomatous disease and bilateral pulmonary nodules, was also not related to service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.,Thoracolumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The examiner must consider the credibility of any alleged stressor events in service and determine if they are corroborated by evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to schedule a video hearing before a Veterans' Law Judge due to his request. The issues of reopening service connection claims for various psychiatric and skin conditions are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depressive disorders, as well as residuals of a right ankle fracture. The Veteran's claims are supported by medical evidence linking her current conditions to her active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The service connection claims remain pending.