Anxiety decisions — 2013

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder related to his military service. The claims for increased ratings for sensory loss affecting the left hand and postoperative left wrist scars are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or any increase in severity since separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his anxiety disorder is related to service, including consideration of in-service incidents and post-service substance abuse.

The Veteran's anxiety and insomnia have resulted in mild impairment, but he is currently able to function without medication or treatment. The current disability rating of 10 percent reflects his occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency during periods of significant stress.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and TDIU have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder warrants a rating of 50 percent prior to September 21, 2010, and a 70 percent rating from September 21, 2010.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent prior to June 21, 1999, which meets the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board is remanding the case for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's preexisting psychiatric disorder did not undergo a permanent increase in severity due to service, and whether any current psychiatric disorder had its onset in active service or is otherwise causally related to active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is pending for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, on a direct basis. The secondary claim remains under development and will be considered if the VA medical opinion indicates such a relationship.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the psychiatric disorder issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder and PTSD, are related to his military service and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding service treatment records and VCAA notice issues.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and GAD, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board also found that his restless leg syndrome did not have a direct link to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA/privately medical records. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, and glaucoma.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and arranging a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders, with an emphasis on whether PTSD is related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for anxiety disorder, service connection for PTSD, and service connection for tinnitus were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety, were not caused by or related to her military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric condition is not attributable to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and Vet Center treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records, and a retrospective medical opinion regarding his ability to work due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and arranging for a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.