Anxiety decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his active service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's anxiety reaction has been rated at 50 percent since June 14, 2011. For the period prior to that date, his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's paranoid schizophrenia and anxiety disorder are causally related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is needed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claims of service connection for various conditions, including a pulmonary disability and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and ensuring all relevant evidence is considered.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including providing proper notice under 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(5) for cases alleging PTSD due to personal assault.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, to include depression and anxiety, clearly and unmistakably existed prior to his period of active service and was not aggravated during this period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD, dysthymic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder), finding that there was no in-service injury or event related to these conditions, nor continuous symptoms since service.

The Board found that the Veteran did not clearly and unmistakably have a pre-existing psychiatric disability, and thus service connection cannot be granted for any current acquired psychiatric disability. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder and leg cramps are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, as new and material evidence has been received. However, the claim for PTSD cannot be granted because there is no credible supporting evidence of a verified in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of service and obtaining relevant medical records. The appellant's claims for service connection are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his acquired psychiatric disability is not service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and PTSD, did not have onset during service or were not related to an in-service injury or event. The claim for service connection was therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder, NOS, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his in-service stressors and a review of his service treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder and gunshot wound residuals were found to be of such severity as to preclude substantially gainful employment as of April 23, 2008.

The Board denied service connection for a skin condition, as the Veteran's current skin condition is not related to his active military service.,The Board also denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, finding that the Veteran does not have an undiagnosed illness and that his current conditions are not related to his service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed mental health disorder, and thus denied his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and the addition of recent VA treatment records. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.