Anxiety decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a BVA videoconference hearing. The issues are related to pension benefits and service connection for depression/anxiety as secondary to hepatitis C.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood was found to have its onset in service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board is remanding the case for further development and consideration of whether any acquired psychiatric disability (other than personality disorder or dysthymia) diagnosed since February 2005, including anxiety/depression, depression and schizoid traits, chronic low grade depression and anxiety, alcohol abuse in remission, and/or persistent depressive disorder, is causally related to, or aggravated by, active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as anxiety disorder, is granted. The claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for ischemic heart disease remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete records and inadequate evidence to decide the stressor allegations. The right hand condition claim is deferred until the carpal tunnel syndrome claim is adjudicated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD, as there is no verified stressor. The other psychiatric conditions are also denied due to lack of evidence supporting their onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and hepatitis C are being remanded due to the need for further development, including an examination by a VA psychiatrist or psychologist.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional records from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and for further development before readjudication can proceed.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder is rated at 30 percent, which adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms and impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and depression is denied as there is no credible evidence of a personal assault in service. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for erectile dysfunction, irritable bowel syndrome, and GERD have been denied. The Veteran was granted a 30% rating for his sleep disorder secondary to his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for anxiety disorder not otherwise specified is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Board found that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to show a pre-existing psychiatric disorder was aggravated by service, thus denying the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin disorder was not manifested during service and is not related to his service, including as due to herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection for a skin disorder was denied. The rating for anxiety disorder was increased but remains at 50%.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety and depression. The Veteran did not appear at the scheduled mental health examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his in-service stressor involving being shot by someone during service.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood is currently rated as 50 percent disabling, reflecting moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been reopened and granted. Service connection is established for PTSD, anxiety disorder, and mood disorder. The rating for GERD remains at 10 percent.