Anxiety decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing PTSD was aggravated by his military service, and therefore grants service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, PTSD, and generalized anxiety disorder, were incurred during his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and anxiety was rated at 50 percent prior to September 1, 2009.

The Veteran's myalgia and myositis are found to be secondary to his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities. The Veteran is granted an initial disability rating of no more than 50 percent for migraines, effective December 5, 2011.

The Veteran's schizophrenia with secondary major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder has caused total occupational and social impairment since April 7, 2008. The Board grants a 100 percent rating for this disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of her claim for total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic venous insufficiency of the bilateral lower extremities and associated depression with anxiety, render him unemployable.

The Board has reopened the service connection claims for TMJ and left knee degenerative joint disease, but denied the remaining claims. The Veteran's prostate cancer claim is not supported by evidence of current disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not shown during service or for many years thereafter and is not otherwise related to his active period of military service. The Board finds that the Veteran has not provided credible evidence of an in-service personal assault leading to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's STRs and his reported treatment history.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disorder (flat warts), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. Service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is for a higher initial rating for his anxiety disorder NOS, not service connection for PTSD. The Board finds that the current rating of 30 percent adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and granted service connection for an anxiety disorder not otherwise specified. The issues of service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression) are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for further development, including additional psychological testing and drug testing. The focus is on whether the Veteran currently has a psychiatric disorder that may be service-connected.

The Board is unable to determine if the Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS and major depressive disorder are related to his military service, but finds that they were incurred as a result of his active duty. The case will be remanded for further clarification from the VA examiner.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for his anxiety disorder, to include PTSD, was denied by the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations.,The Veteran reported having various disabilities, including foot problems, sinus issues, back pain, head injuries, hand/elbow/arm pain, shoulder problems, psychiatric conditions, and a heart condition. The Board will review these claims in light of all available evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a throat and lung condition. The Veteran is being asked to provide updated VA treatment records, undergo VA examinations, and have his claims fully developed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of stressors and a new VA psychiatric examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorder is related to service.