Anxiety decisions — 2013

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including dysthymia, did not have onset during service and were not related to his service-connected rhinosinusitis with headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder is service-connected, while his claims for bipolar disorder and PTSD are denied due to lack of evidence showing a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, regardless of diagnosis, is caused or aggravated by events in service and grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including adjustment disorder with anxiety, paranoid schizophrenia, and psychotic bipolar disorder, has resulted in total occupational and social impairment throughout the appeal period. The claim for TDIU is moot due to the assignment of a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered individually and combined, do not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on their severity alone. However, his age and other medical conditions are deemed to contribute to his unemployability.

The Board found that the Veteran's headaches and psychiatric disabilities, including depression and anxiety, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The pre-existing conditions existed prior to service and did not undergo a permanent increase in severity during service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination and consideration of all submitted evidence. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include dysthymic disorder or PTSD) remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU rating and are likely to preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, dysthymic disorder and anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, were found to have originated during service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, as the Veteran and his representative withdrew this claim. The remaining issues of service connection for gout, skin disorders, left knee disorder, erectile dysfunction, and high cholesterol have been denied due to lack of evidence of an underlying disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 20 percent since December 2008. The claim for an increased rating is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder are related to service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, depression, and an adjustment disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The appeal was denied as there is no diagnosis of PTSD based on any claimed stressor or fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The issues are whether service connection is warranted for these conditions, as well as their relationship to his service-connected low back strain.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is not service-connected as it is considered secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation of his lumbar spine arthritis, as well as reopening of previously denied claims. The appeal is also remanded to obtain SSA records and conduct additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural issues and the need for additional development of his claim, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected psychiatric disability on his employability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding records from Dr. Larry Warner.

The Board found no valid diagnosis of PTSD and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, concluding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.