Anxiety decisions — 2014

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, reflecting occupational and social impairment with mild or transient symptoms that decrease work efficiency during periods of significant stress.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for his anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, claimed as PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for clarification of the examiner's opinion and obtaining additional VA treatment records.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current anxiety disorder, NOS is etiologically related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is service-connected. The left ear hearing loss disability was not found to be related to service.

The Board found no evidence of a current psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 16, 2009. The Board found that the current level of disability warrants a 100 percent rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verification of a claimed stressor and examination of his left knee.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD and anxiety disorder, was caused by his service. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for a psychiatric disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxiety is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms indicate serious symptoms, characterized by persistent suicidal ideation and isolation. The Board has determined that a 70 percent rating is warranted for his acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder).

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence of in-service stressors or a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to verify his duty status with the Michigan Army National Guard (ARNG) from December 1986 to October 1992, and to attempt to verify additional stressors for PTSD. The VA examiner will provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during a period of active duty or is related to his service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety disorder. The evidence received since the November 2007 rating decision relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate a claim for service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders, to include PTSD and anxiety. The case will be reviewed again after all necessary actions are completed.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for additional development, including a new VA mental disorders examination.