Anxiety decisions — 2013

The Board has granted service connection for an anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, but denied service connection for PTSD and depression due to lack of a confirmed in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been granted, and he is now service-connected for anxiety disorder. The effective date of this decision is April 25, 2003.

The Veteran's joint disorder, including osteoarthritis and shoulder impingement syndrome, is not service-connected as it is related to the natural aging process.,There is no evidence of tinnitus in service or within one year after discharge. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's tinnitus is less likely than not caused by military noise exposure.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosed sleep disorder, and his reported difficulty sleeping due to anxiety and nightmares is not supported by medical records.,There is no evidence of fatigue in service or within one year after discharge. The Veteran's current condition is attributed to the natural aging process.,The Veteran had missing teeth at the time of discharge from service, but this does not meet the criteria for service connection as it was not due to loss of substance of the body of the maxilla or mandible.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings have been granted, with the exception of his claim for higher initial disability rating for residuals of incisional hernia repair.,His anxiety with depression and inverse psoriasis were each rated at 50 percent effective June 18, 2004.

The Board has found that the appellant's claims to reopen his service connection claims for asbestosis and obsessive compulsive disorder, and his claim for entitlement to a TDIU need to be remanded. The case is also remanded for issuance of a statement of the case regarding these issues.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not incurred in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder was received on September 12, 2008. The Board found that the earliest date for which service connection could be granted is September 12, 2008.

The Veteran's service records do not show any diagnosis of PTSD, and the VA examiner found no evidence to support a current diagnosis. The Board therefore denied service connection for PTSD. However, the Veteran was diagnosed with anxiety disorder, NOS, and depressive disorder, NOS, during his service on the U.S.S. Bainbridge. While there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to service, the VA examiner found that the in-service stressors did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. The Board therefore denied service connection for anxiety and depressive disorders as well.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and a gastrointestinal disability are being remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The case will be further developed, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for another VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, diagnosed as a mood disorder manifested by depression with anxiety. The latter claim is based on secondary service connection due to its being caused or aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's anxiety disorder is due to his service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI), and thus grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than service-connected mood disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the hip joints is pending. The claim for a skin rash has been reopened but remains denied as new evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II is granted. The low back disability claim was previously denied and reopening was granted due to new evidence received. Service connection is established based on a finding that the current condition is related to active duty.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sciatica and plantar fasciitis remains pending as new evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim. The eye disability claim was previously denied but reopened due to new evidence received, however no service connection is granted as there is no link between current condition and active duty.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD, major depression, anxiety disorder) claim remains pending as new evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a psychiatric and audiological examination to determine the etiology of any psychiatric disability other than PTSD and hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a cerebral aneurysm and an acquired psychiatric disability, to include anxiety, depression, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. The Board found no credible evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted effective September 30, 2000. He is currently rated at 100 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or substantially confined to his house due to a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent, thus the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound are not met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lipoma, previously claimed as body tumors, is granted. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at zero percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of his claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for positive tuberculin reaction (claimed as tuberculosis) and anxiety disorder. As such, these claims remain denied.