Anxiety decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient development and examination reports. The case will be returned to the Board once additional evidence is obtained.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is found to be incurred in military service, and the claim for service connection for this condition is granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, skin cancer, and a growth on the left foot are remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD and did not meet the criteria for service connection. The claims were denied as there was no verified in-service stressor leading to the diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if any of the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is found to be related to service. The claim for an upper lobectomy due to carcinoma was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, but remanded to obtain additional development and expert medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including a VA psychiatric and audiological examination.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination. The case is now remanded for further action.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include as secondary to service-connected adductors myositis and left/adductors tenosynovitis.

The Veteran's service-connected depression with anxiety is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current level of impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, clarify the nature and etiology of her psychiatric disorders, and consider the revised provisions for service connection for PTSD.

The Board granted service connection for arthritis of multiple joints and rhinitis, assigned initial noncompensable disability ratings to the Veteran's migraine headaches, lumbar strain, bilateral knee strains, bilateral ankle strains, hypertension, and anxiety disorder (NOS), and increased the rating for migraine headaches since May 14, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for VA examinations to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of his claimed psychiatric and foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and providing an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to attend to the necessary activities of daily living, and he is able to care for himself and his environment. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board found that the Veteran's depressive and anxiety disorder had its onset during service, resolving all doubts in her favor. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues are whether his acquired psychiatric disorders, other than PTSD, and sleep apnea are related to service or diabetes.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Veteran's anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and PTSD are all related to his in-service stressors during World War II.