Anxiety decisions — 2013

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The evidence shows significant impairment in social and occupational functioning but no total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since February 11, 2004. The rating is maintained as the symptoms do not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim of entitlement to a higher initial rating for anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder NOS, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records and provide a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder has been rated at 30 percent since August 20, 2007. The VA examiner found that the symptoms have not yet met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD, but denied the Veteran's claims for depression and anxiety as well as his claim for an epididymal cyst.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a personality disorder, claimed as an acquired psychiatric disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, meeting the criteria for a higher rating. The Board has granted an increased evaluation to reflect his current level of disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for peptic ulcer disease, IBS, and an anxiety disorder characterized by insomnia. The evidence did not show a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, and PTSD. The Veteran's claim is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions do not meet the criteria for service connection as PTSD, and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of a pre-existing condition. The Board concluded that the Veteran did not have an in-service stressor sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD, and thus denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, as it does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric issues are unrelated to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including dysthymic disorder, adjustment disorder, depression, anxiety, and PTSD, has been rated at 50 percent since May 22, 2013. This rating is based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety disorder, is related to his service-connected residuals of a brain concussion. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran was not found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities prior to October 2, 2008. From October 2, 2008 to September 11, 2013, the evidence showed that he was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for depression and anxiety with stress prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's GERD and IBS are found to be secondary to his service-connected GAD, and he is granted an increased rating for GAD.

The Board determined that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, dysthymia, generalized anxiety disorder, and primary insomnia due to lack of in-service diagnosis or credible evidence supporting a current disability related to service.