Anxiety decisions — 2013

The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, as his pre-existing condition worsened during service but did not originate in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have PTSD, and there is no evidence linking COPD, anxiety disorder, or depressive disorder to service. The claim for service connection for these conditions must be denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety and depression as secondary to his service-connected knee and right wrist disabilities, as well as increased ratings for his knee and wrist conditions, are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is causally or etiologically due to service, and the Board grants his claim for service connection.

The Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disability attributable to her military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding his claimed PTSD and scheduling him for a VA examination of his right knee.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right shoulder impingement syndrome was rated at 20 percent, PTSD with anxiety/depression was rated at 30 percent from February 23, 2011, and the claim for a right knee disability was not supported by evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has any psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance of another/housebound is being remanded due to unclear factual entitlement, including whether any single service-connected disability renders him unemployable or if he qualifies for SMC based on a need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding the onset and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD and MDD, has been considered in the grant of service connection for PTSD and MDD. Therefore, no justiciable case or controversy is before the Board.

The Veteran's hypertension and heart condition did not manifest during active service or within one year of separation, and are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and a stomach disorder due to asbestos exposure, ill-fitting dentures, and/or the service-connected right ankle disability was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a diagnosed PTSD or other psychiatric condition during service or at any time thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development including verifying stressors, scheduling a VA examination, and obtaining further records. The claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's bilateral blindness is being remanded for clarification of the relationship between his service-connected generalized anxiety with dementia and his current vision impairment.

The Board has referred the claims of service connection for peptic ulcer disease, a psychiatric disorder to include major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, and a bilateral leg disability back to the VA Regional Office in San Juan for further development. The case is now REMANDED due to confusion regarding which office should handle the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding it at least as likely as not that the condition had its onset during active duty. Service connection is denied for back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

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 for clarification of in-service stressors and further examination.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.

The Board found that the Veteran's depressive disorder preexisted service and was not aggravated thereby, thus rebutting the presumption of soundness at entry. The personality disorder is not considered a disease or injury for VA purposes. An anxiety disorder was also not incurred in or aggravated by service.