Anxiety decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his service-connected anxiety disorder NOS has been denied. The Board finds that the current evidence does not support a rating in excess of 70 percent for the period from April 9, 2012.

The Board has ordered further development due to the possibility of outstanding SSA disability records and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an updated VA examination to address the etiology of his prostate cancer and psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and residuals of a stroke. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD (to include generalized anxiety disorder), and a bilateral ankle disability. The evidence did not support these claims as there was no valid diagnosis of PTSD based on a corroborated in-service stressor, no current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include generalized anxiety disorder, which could be related to active service, and no relationship between the claimed disabilities and active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety, and hypertension. The evidence is sufficient to establish that these conditions are related to service.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, Depression, Anxiety) and hypertension.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, were not caused by VA medical care and thus denied his claim for 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 benefits.

The Board has determined that an effective date of March 29, 1993 for the grant of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cold injury residuals of the fingers and toes, and major depression with generalized anxiety disorder are all likely due to service exposure. As a result, these conditions have been granted as service-connected.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims and granted service connection for generalized anxiety disorder. The claims for hypertension, heart disease, and residuals of dental trauma are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, as well as his tinnitus are found to be related to service. Bilateral hearing loss is also found to be related to service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA spine examination.

The Veteran's claims for Gulf War Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Sleep Apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or connection to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depression, PTSD, anxiety, and panic attacks, secondary to his service-connected tinnitus, hearing loss, and left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for SMP has been reopened and granted due to the submission of new evidence showing he requires aid and attendance. His combined disability rating is currently at 60 percent, qualifying him for this benefit.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and anxiety has been rated at 30 percent, effective July 13, 2010. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 50 percent for his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD, depression, and anxiety were denied service connection due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The hearing loss claim was denied as the Veteran does not have a ratable disability, while tinnitus is considered incurred in service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety disorder NOS, bipolar disorder, and COPD, is being considered as part of this reopening.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected major affective disorder with generalized anxiety disorder had a material causal role in his death, leading to the grant of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the service-connected generalized anxiety reaction with panic attacks, effective from March 21, 2013. The Veteran's symptoms include episodes of anxiety and panic attacks.