Anxiety decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for service connection for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for anxiety disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's conditions were caused or aggravated by his service, or by his service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran did not present a credible or verified in-service stressor for PTSD, and thus denied service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including respiratory disorder, bilateral feet disorder, stomach disorder, depression and anxiety, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, were denied as the evidence does not support a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination and consideration of his claim for TDIU.

The Board has denied service connection for Dupuytren's contracture disease and posttraumatic stress disorder. Service connection is pending for anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, NOS was found to be related to his active service. The Board granted service connection for this condition and remanded the remaining issues of right shoulder, left knee, and right foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and unclear medical opinions.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects her current level of disability and impairment.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including hepatitis C and its secondary effects. The Board has scheduled a videoconference hearing to address these claims.

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

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, claimed as PTSD/personal assault, is not service-connected. The RO found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran does not have a psychosis that developed in service or within one year of his discharge, and the Board finds that presumptive service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Board found no current evidence of a seizure disorder and denied service connection for this condition. The Veteran's prostate cancer was not linked to his military service, and the claim is denied. Service connection for PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, or anxiety with panic attacks could not be established based on the available evidence.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood is not related to service or secondary to his service-connected lumbar strain.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings following the award of service connection for PTSD with Anxiety Disorder NOS has been withdrawn. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or special home adaptations.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, resulting in a higher initial disability rating of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric and neurological disorders. The claims will be re-adjudicated after this development.