Anxiety decisions — 2013

The Veteran's psychiatric disorders are presumed to have pre-existed service and were aggravated by military service. Service connection is granted for PTSD, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and dissociative identity disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his PTSD and anxiety disorder are related to his military service. For the initial compensable rating for residuals of malaria, a VA examination is needed due to the passage of time since the last examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an increased rating to 70 percent effective January 28, 2013. His diagnoses of Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety Disorder were reopened on new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a supplemental medical opinion addressing the relationship between his current psychiatric disorders and military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA psychiatric examination and obtaining additional VA outpatient records.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the denial of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, but determined new and material evidence had been received to reopen a claim for PTSD. The decision is mixed as it addressed both issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psoriasis and anxiety disorder are service-connected, with the anxiety disorder being linked to his psoriasis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) with short-term memory loss, anxiety, depression, and disequilibrium is being remanded due to the need for an examination regarding his INACDUTRA period from June 21, 2006 to June 25, 2006.

The Board found that the award of service connection for PTSD with anxiety, sleep disturbances, and chemical dependency was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. Therefore, it restored service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current anxiety disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is unrelated to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and her service-connected psychiatric disorders are not related to military service. The hearing loss claim is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has expanded the issue on appeal to include all acquired psychiatric disorders and has ordered a new VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is etiologically related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, specifically Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Social Phobic and Panic Features and Mood Disorder, NOS, are found to have had their onset in service and the Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new psychiatric examination. The issue of an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for anxiety disorder and PTSD remains on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Adjustment Disorder with Depression and Anxiety, and a bilateral ankle disorder are under consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a video conference hearing and verifying the Veteran's current mailing address.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for SMC purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development of her employment history. The issues include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, a higher rating for PTSD, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development, including verification of in-service stressors and additional medical opinions.