Anxiety decisions — 2013

The Veteran's depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder have been granted service connection, with a disability rating of 100% effective from the date of her claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further medical examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, are being evaluated in light of his service allegations of personal assaults.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression, anxiety, and insomnia. The evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD as there is no credible stressor event documented in the record.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety reaction is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on his current symptoms.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety disorder, as claimed as secondary to his service-connected genitourinary disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current anxiety disorder is related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Veteran's recurrent major depression and anxiety disorder not otherwise specified are related to her active duty service, and the Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for PTSD, but found no evidence of a current acquired psychiatric disability related to service. The Veteran's claims were denied.

The Veteran's appeal of a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn. The issues of entitlement to an increased disability evaluation for service-connected bipolar disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, and TDIU remain before the Board.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and anxiety disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his current mental health conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, finding that December 20, 2007 is the earliest possible effective date. The appeal for this issue must be denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a colon disorder, including as due to herbicide exposure, is being remanded for additional development and consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's earlier effective date claims for TDIU and 50% rating for anxiety disorder, finding that the earliest factually ascertainable dates were February 25, 2011, for TDIU and February 11, 2005, for the 50% rating.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has caused significant impairment in work, social, and other areas throughout the appeal period, warranting a rating of 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and scheduling a new psychiatric examination to assess the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis B and anxiety disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD has been dismissed due to the absence of a controversy at issue. The Board finds that all currently manifested psychiatric symptoms are attributable to a single diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.