Anxiety decisions — 2013

The Veteran's adjustment disorder is found to be the result of his service-connected disabilities, specifically bilateral hearing loss and ischemic heart disease. As such, he is granted service connection for this condition as secondary to these disabilities.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, evaluated under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders, warranted an initial 30 percent disability rating for the period prior to February 12, 2011, due to occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability is rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The right eye disability was rated at 30 percent from October 20, 2006 to November 5, 2006 and remains rated at 30 percent since January 1, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of December 23, 2005.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder prior to April 5, 2010 was rated at 50 percent and denied a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder (claimed as schizophrenia, PTSD, and anxiety) and a neurological disability (numbness of the feet and toes), finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have been rated as 50 percent disabling since January 30, 2009.

The Veteran's memory loss is found to be etiologically related to his service-connected PTSD, and he is granted service connection for this condition. His initial rating for PTSD with depressive disorder and anxiety remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's undiagnosed illness, manifested by primary insomnia with fatigue, memory loss, anxiety, and irritability, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board finds that the disability does not warrant a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for a 50 percent or higher rating.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, effective June 19, 2013. The rating reflects significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to July 29, 2004.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his anxiety disorder is less likely than not caused by service. The claim for direct service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied.

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

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, GAD and depression.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder have been rated at 70 percent since May 18, 2010. The symptoms include occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70 percent rating for both periods on appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting further examinations to address the issues of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as his claimed conditions are not related to military service. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied due to the lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities combine to preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.