Anxiety decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination. The issues of increased ratings for major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder with history of adjustment disorder, as well as TDIU, are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for anxiety and depression was granted, but he is not entitled to a compensable rating for his scars.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus has aggravated his acquired psychiatric disability, to include anxiety and depression, beyond its natural course.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims file.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the RO to review additional medical evidence submitted by him and prepare a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no valid diagnosis of PTSD during the appeal period. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, including anxiety disorder, was addressed and found not supported by evidence. Claims for hypertension and erectile dysfunction were also addressed but are pending.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for his service-connected conditions have been granted, with the exception of a higher evaluation for generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and panic disorder with agoraphobia.

The Board determined that the Veteran's anxiety reaction did not contribute to his death, as there was no evidence of a service-connected condition contributing to his underlying conditions. The cause of death listed on the death certificate was respiratory failure due to advanced lung cancer.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, mental stress, anxiety, and depression. The appeal was decided on the merits without any presumption or new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to include obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA audiological and psychiatric examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder as a result of his active naval service, including the in-service stressor involving J.B. and the jet engine intake.

The appellant's service-connected disabilities, including postoperative gastrectomy and vagotomy for bleeding peptic ulcer, anxiety reaction, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board grants the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including an adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety, is found to be secondary to his service-connected hemorrhoid disorder.

The Board has granted a 50 percent initial disability rating for PTSD for the entire appeal period, finding that the severity of symptoms more nearly approximates reduced reliability and productivity due to depression, anxiety, agoraphobia, sleep disturbance, disturbances in motivation, poor concentration, impairment of short term memory, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric condition and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a current diagnosis. The Veteran's conditions are not considered to be related to his military service.

The Veteran is seeking a higher initial rating for his service-connected anxiety disorder, previously diagnosed as adjustment disorder. The Board has determined that another VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are not related to his military service and have denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder aggravated his coronary artery disease, causing his death. The Board grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a mental disorder, including anxiety and depression. The case is remanded for further development regarding PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to a withdrawal request.