Anxiety decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran's depressive disorder was not incurred in service and is presumed to have existed prior to service. Anxiety disorders, including panic disorder with claustrophobia/agoraphobia, were also not shown to be related to service. A personality disorder was diagnosed but not considered a disease or injury for VA purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to provide a VA examination to determine the etiology of his hypertension, including whether it is related to service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety disorder NOS, mood disorder, and adjustment disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his Army service personnel records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the relationship between any current psychiatric disorder and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise on whether these conditions are related to active military service. The psychiatric disorder claim remains pending as it was not addressed by the RO.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service due to willful misconduct. The claim for depression and anxiety disorder was denied as well.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and requesting an addendum opinion from a VA physician to determine if the Veteran has had any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disabilities at any time since December 2010, and whether such disabilities are attributable to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD and there is insufficient evidence to support his claimed in-service stressors. As such, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, cannot be granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted a rating of 40 percent for her right shoulder disability. The TDIU issue remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to her failure to appear for a Travel Board hearing scheduled on August 20, 2014. She must be provided another opportunity for such a hearing.

The Board found that the appellant's discharge was due to willful and persistent misconduct, not insanity. As a result, his other than honorable discharge remains a bar to VA benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise with respect to whether these conditions are related to events experienced during service. Service connection was not established for Polyploidy Dermal Nevus Head Lesions (benign neoplasm of skin).

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for clarification of conflicting medical opinions and additional examination regarding his employability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically depression and anxiety NOS, is granted. The issue of service connection for a dental disorder for VA outpatient dental treatment purposes has been referred to the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the case for another VA examination to address the presence and etiology of all psychiatric disorders other than PTSD present in the Veteran. The appeal will be REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder NOS and depressive disorder NOS, as well as tinnitus. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining verification of service records and VA medical records. The Veteran's claim will be re-adjudicated based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with secondary depression and anxiety, shell fragment wound, right chest, and malaria, combine to preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed depression and anxiety has been rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of claim. The rating is based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder not otherwise specified (NOS), mood disorder NOS, depressive disorder NOS, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disability and whether any such disability was incurred in service.