Anxiety decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of his current psychiatric disability and because he served in Iraq, which may support a diagnosis of PTSD. Additionally, VA treatment records are needed for his bilateral shin splints with a closed stress fracture on the left.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and missing medical records, and the claims for increased rating and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acid reflux must be remanded due to additional development being required. The lung condition claim is reopened but remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including anxiety disorder and PTSD, was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder are currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as anxiety disorder and depression. The Veteran's respiratory disorder is also found to be related to his military service. However, the claim for tinnitus remains pending due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's panic and anxiety disorder with agoraphobia has been rated at 50 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, depression NOS, and anxiety NOS is being remanded due to inconsistencies in the medical record and need for clarification regarding pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, was granted. The effective date of the grant is set at February 13, 2008, which is also when he filed his claim to reopen. For irritable bowel syndrome, an earlier effective date is denied as it falls within the period in which the Veteran could have appealed the January 2003 denial.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating for traumatic brain injury with PTSD and anxiety remains in appellate status.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a new VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was reopened and granted. He is now rated at 70 percent for PTSD with depression and anxiety from August 31, 2010 to September 30, 2012.,Prior to August 31, 2010, the Veteran's PTSD with depression and anxiety was rated at 30 percent. From August 31, 2010 to September 30, 2012, he is rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his service-connected psychiatric disability. The issue of TDIU has also been re-raised.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD, alleging that she was sexually harassed by a fellow service member in March 1987. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and concludes that his other psychiatric disorders are not related to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to assess his anxiety disorder, bilateral foot disability, and employability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current depression and anxiety are related to his service-connected scar from cyst removal.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and delusional disorder, secondary to bilateral hearing loss disability. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also addressed.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with features of generalized anxiety and PTSD, and depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, approximates occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. With resolution of all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, a 50 percent disability rating has been granted.