Anxiety decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder and depressive disorder are related to his active military service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and an unspecified anxiety disorder, which the Board finds to be related to service. The right knee disorder claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The case has been remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional development regarding the onset of his psychiatric conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder due to military sexual trauma and has granted service connection for a depressive disorder and an anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and requested a video conference hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety with depression, arthralgias of all joints, gastritis, GERD, and elevated liver enzymes due to fatty liver are found to be proximately due to the service-connected fibromyalgia. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and further development of evidence related to the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder was rated at 10 percent since the grant of service connection in June 6, 2008. The current rating adequately reflects his symptoms.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his current PTSD symptoms. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, and Dependent Personality Disorder. The Veteran's claims are pending further development to determine if these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, back disability, gastrointestinal issues, Crohn's disease, hepatitis C, and bilateral foot disability were not incurred or aggravated by service. The appeals for these conditions are denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining reserve service records and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The issues are whether he can establish service connection for congestive heart failure and an acquired psychiatric condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to clarify whether the Veteran currently has an Axis I diagnosis of PTSD and if so, whether it is related to any in-service stressors. The Veteran's claim will also be considered under the amended 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(3) due to his claimed stressor involving witnessing multiple dead soldiers while on duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination findings, and a new opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's anxiety disorder and panic disorder are related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease, initial rating in excess of 10 percent for dysthymia and generalized anxiety disorder, service connection for back disability, hypertension secondary to service-connected dysthymia and generalized anxiety disorder, and sleep disorder secondary to service-connected dysthymia and generalized anxiety disorder. The Board found no direct service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected anxiety disorder NOS is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and consideration of additional VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to outstanding SSA records and other issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to verifying a stressor and obtaining updated VA treatment records. A VA psychiatric examination is also required.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient medical information and a need for updated examinations. The Veteran is currently seeking TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, but the effectiveness of these conditions in preventing employment remains unclear.