Anxiety decisions — 2013

The Board denied service connection for anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, finding that the disorders are not directly related to military service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and therefore grants this claim. The issue of TDIU is not addressed as it is considered 'unknown' due to its nature.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, is related to his in-service sexual assault. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, whether considered an anxiety disorder or a personality disorder, was not incurred in service and is not related to his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development and adjudication of his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as well as any other acquired psychiatric disorders he may have. The case will be returned to the Board after this initial development.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia are currently rated at 70 percent, effective from February 1, 2008. The rating is granted.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but it remains denied as new and material evidence was not provided to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to May 17, 2010. Effective May 17, 2010, the rating was increased to 70 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 10 percent for his service-connected chronic anxiety disorder (claimed as PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and psychotic disorder (claimed as schizophrenia), finding that there was no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD and noting that his current mental health status is not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart disability, kidney stones, chronic pain syndrome (other than lumbago and chronic back pain), epididymitis, bilateral foot fungus, and depression and anxiety disorder. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disability and whether it is related to active service.

The Veteran's claim for SMC at the housebound rate is denied because he does not have a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent disabling, and his TDIU rating based on one service-connected disability qualifies him for a total rating without requiring additional service-connected disabilities to meet the criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder was granted. However, his claim for service connection for metastatic squamous cell cancer of the neck, throat, tongue, and shoulder muscles remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence by his attorney, and he wishes for this evidence to be reviewed before further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

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

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and issuance of a statement of the case regarding the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim seeking service connection for PTSD. The appeal is also remanded for additional development in connection with the claim for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, but he is now granted service connection for major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, NOS.