Anxiety decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and an initial evaluation for bilateral hearing loss are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, verify stressors, conduct examinations, and determine appropriate ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically an anxiety disorder and mood disorder, is related to his service-connected sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder, anxiety and depression were denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis. The claim for service connection for dental trauma to tooth number 10 was granted.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been rated at 50 percent since May 30, 2008. The Board remanded the issue of an increased evaluation for the period beginning October 19, 2011.,An additional VA examination was conducted in June 2012 and confirmed that the Veteran's anxiety disorder continues to result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an anxiety disorder and has determined that new and material evidence has been received. The Board also found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder is related to her period of active duty in Turkey, thus granting service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychological disorder, including PTSD, major depression, anxiety, and schizoid personality is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the etiology of his current psychiatric conditions.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder or polyarthritis, and denied both claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to personal assault is being remanded as additional evidence and a VA examination are needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, is related to his active service and grants this claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, arranging a VA examination, and considering newly submitted evidence.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings were denied. The initial rating for anxiety disorder remains at 30 percent, and the initial evaluation for right subacromial bone spur is also at 20 percent.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been rated at 50 percent since the appeal period began, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder and depression began in service and have continued since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's GAD has been rated at 70 percent since March 15, 2013. The VA examiner found that the symptoms of his GAD have caused significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 30 percent effective March 27, 2013. The rating for left hip osteoarthritis and left middle finger osteoarthritis remains unchanged.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, manifested by anxiety and depression, was found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected mesenteric panniculitis. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on all pending claims before the Board, including service connection for hypertension and psychiatric disorders, as well as various arthritis and skin conditions ratings. The total disability rating based on individual unemployability was also withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Columbia RO for scheduling a video conference hearing before a member of the Board. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected anxiety disorder was denied by the RO. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bruxism is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected anxiety disorder, and thus grants service connection for bruxism as secondary to his anxiety disorder.