Anxiety decisions — 2014

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, are found to be secondary to her service-connected migraine headaches and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinion on whether the Veteran's diagnosed depressive disorder and anxiety disorder were caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, along with PTSD and major depressive disorder, resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The Board granted a 70 percent rating for the anxiety disorder prior to March 21, 2013.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including acid reflux, back disability, fibromyalgia, sinus condition, hearing loss, blurring in both eyes, sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD, depression, anxiety), cartilage loss in both knees, gout in ankles and feet, and chronic left ankle fracture. The Board found that the evidence did not support a service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination. The case will be returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for anxiety disorder was granted, and he is currently receiving a 10 percent evaluation. The appeal regarding the issue of an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his anxiety disorder remains pending.

The VA examiner found that the Veteran's symptoms do not meet the DSM-IV criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, and thus service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the appellant's current psychiatric disorder(s) and its/their relationship to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen his left knee disability claim. The psychiatric disorder and acid reflux claims were also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be manifested by symptoms such as depression, impaired concentration and focus, lack of motivation, and social isolation, which most closely approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board granted a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD through May 12, 2010.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, variously diagnosed. The Board also granted service connection for major depression, dysthymic disorder, and anxiety disorder, NOS, with alcohol abuse related thereto.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for verification of stressor events and further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected anxiety during active duty, including his experiences aboard USS CAPE COD in Southwest Asia, is etiologically related to his current acquired psychiatric disorders. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's mild neurocognitive disorder is not related to his service or any service-connected condition, including minimal inactive pulmonary tuberculosis and bronchiectasis.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, are found to be at least as likely as not related to his service. The Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is found to be related to his service-connected Crohn's disease.,Chronic fatigue was not diagnosed or attributed to any specific condition in the medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to April 8, 2008 and at 70 percent from that date. The effective date for TDIU is not earlier than April 8, 2008.,PTSD symptoms included anxiety, intermittent nightmares, restricted affect, difficulty concentrating, avoidance, exaggerated startle response, social isolation, and suicidal thoughts.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder), diabetes mellitus type II, tachycardia, atrioventricular nodal re-entry, and degenerative arthrosis of the lumbar spine. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or any other compensable exposure.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The examiner did not diagnose PTSD and found other diagnoses such as depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder.