Anxiety decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA psychiatric and spine examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically anxiety. The issue of service connection for the residuals of heat stroke is remanded due to lack of VA treatment records prior to 2006 and Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for hearing loss and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the psychiatric disorder and to schedule appropriate examinations.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of ambulance services provided on February 13, 2011 is denied because the treatment did not constitute a medical emergency and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The preponderance of the evidence is against finding that any of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related or attributable to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of any current breathing disorders and an opinion on whether service connection is warranted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD and an anxiety and depressive disorder, both diagnosed as acquired psychiatric disorders.,Service connection was also granted for hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began during military service and has been continuous since then, granting service connection for this condition. The other issues of service connection are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder was found to not cause occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, as required for a higher disability evaluation.

The Board found that the appellant does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected anxiety disorder, and thus denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders have been granted service connection, with a rating of 10 percent prior to January 12, 2012, and increased to 50 percent thereafter.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including blurred vision, night sweats, traumatic brain injury, sleep apnea, psychiatric disability (PTSD, major depression and anxiety), residuals of frostbite of the ears, and low back disorder. The decision is based on a finding that there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating due to new evidence received since a final denial, including VA and private treatment records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an anxiety disorder is reopened, but his PTSD claim remains pending. A psychiatric examination is needed to determine if he has PTSD related to service events, and a knee examination is required to assess current severity.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than the already granted anxiety disorder NOS with PTSD traits is denied. The claim for secondary service connection for hepatitis C to include as secondary to service-connected anxiety disorder NOS with PTSD traits is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA mental disorders examination to clarify diagnoses and determine whether any current psychiatric disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and scheduling a medical examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim will be adjudicated after the referred issues are addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD symptoms are indicative of reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent evaluation. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for the period since October 9, 2012 remains pending.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for his major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the need to obtain private treatment records from the University of Utah.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), including panic disorder and major depressive disorder, finding that these conditions are related to service.