Anxiety decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to a verified in-service stressor and grants service connection for PTSD, including associated conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected anxiety and depression is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his psychiatric condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and insomnia, is granted. The issue of an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is causally related to his military sexual trauma in service. The issue of onychomycosis remains pending as there are no VA treatment records available.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by mild impairment, with symptoms such as insomnia and nightmares that decrease work efficiency during periods of significant stress. The VA examiner found the Veteran to have a GAF score of 55, indicating moderate symptomatology.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, with PTSD features and alcohol abuse, is rated at 50 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, specifically depression and generalized anxiety disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, a depressive disorder, and an anxiety disorder, was incurred in or is otherwise etiologically related to her military service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disability other than substance abuse, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for polysubstance use in partial sustained remission, generalized anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder. The existing evidence does not establish a causal relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's service connection claim for bronchial asthma. As a result, the claims of service connection for pleurodynia, TIA, anxiety, and for individual unemployability due to service-connected disability remain denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination and review of his stressor claims. The case will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's major depression and anxiety disorder are found to be related to his service. However, there is no evidence of a diagnosed PTSD due to an in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and obtaining any other necessary information. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression and anxiety, is now pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder. The evidence shows that the Veteran had a pre-existing vulnerability to depression but also experienced stressors during his deployment in Iraq which likely aggravated this condition. As such, the Board finds that service connection is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is incurred during his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.