Anxiety decisions — 2014

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), based on the Veteran's reported experiences in Korea during active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including verification of in-service stressors and evaluation of current psychiatric disorders, left leg disability, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, and hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to care for most of his daily personal needs or to protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment without the assistance of others, warranting special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Dysthymic Disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting a VA examination to determine if his psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and somatoform disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disease during service or within the presumptive period.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for an anxiety disorder with depression claimed as PTSD is April 1, 2008. The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating and TDIU are being remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional examinations to assess the functional impairment caused by his service-connected disabilities and for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders and pulmonary disorder are not related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's present adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressive symptoms is related to his active military service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule him for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected anxiety disorder. The TDIU claim will also be deferred until the initial rating issue is resolved.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on March 8, 2012 at Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center are granted as the treatment was considered emergency treatment due to her anxiety condition.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD, including a dysthymic disorder, mood disorder NOS, generalized anxiety disorder, and mixed adjustment disorder, are found to be proximately due to his service-connected PTSD. The claim for an increased initial rating for PTSD is remanded as the Statement of the Case has not been issued.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with depression and anxiety, is granted as service connection is established due to a verified in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, are being reviewed for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service stressors. The issue of TDIU remains pending.