Anxiety decisions — 2014

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified (NOS), is found to be as likely as not related to his service in Vietnam. Given the facts of this case and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the claimant, service connection for anxiety disorder NOS is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety reaction and depressive disorder, has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence that relates to his unestablished fact (a current diagnosis of major depression).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder contributed substantially to his death from COPD, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of his claims, including verification of stressors and consideration of personality disorders.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine strain, post-concussive headaches, and PTSD with anxiety and depressive disorder were denied. The VA found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a current acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, which is related to his in-service combat stressor. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether he meets the criteria for these diagnoses.

The Veteran's death is found to be caused by his service-connected disabilities, specifically organic anxiety syndrome secondary to brain trauma with PTSD and history of alcohol abuse. The appellant's claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression and mood disorder, is granted as these conditions are found to be proximately due to his service-connected disabilities. The claim for ischemic stroke was denied as there were no current residuals or diagnoses related to such incident.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is service connected, but his PTSD claim was denied as the symptoms do not meet DSM-IV criteria. The left hip disability and other conditions are not service connected.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD due to his combat experience in Vietnam. His symptoms include depression and adjustment disorder with anxiety.

The Veteran is granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including anxiety and depression, Type II Diabetes Mellitus, a respiratory disorder including asthma, and urethral pain. Service connection for hemorrhoids is granted with an initial rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The claim will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety is being remanded due to a scheduling issue. The Board will reschedule the Veteran for a video conference hearing.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is found to be related to his service. Service connection for hypertension is granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of her claimed conditions and scheduling a VA examination to assess her acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability has rendered him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability, with the exception of alcohol abuse for the psychiatric claim. For the hearing loss claim, there was no objective evidence showing it met VA compensation criteria.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on May 10, 2011 at CRMC were reimbursed due to the emergent nature of his back pain and other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new medical examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to service or other conditions.