Anxiety decisions — 2014

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's initial claim for PTSD and anxiety disorder was granted, with a rating of 30 percent from May 2, 2009 to June 3, 2012. The RO then increased the rating to 70 percent effective June 4, 2012. However, the case is now being remanded due to missing VA treatment records and a need for further development regarding total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his psychiatric disability. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability remains in dispute.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the November 2011 VA examiner and providing appropriate notice regarding new PTSD provisions. The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and anxiety will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and headache disorder are granted service connection as they are related to their active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder NOS, and depressive disorder NOS, is being remanded due to the need for additional development, specifically a VA examination.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an examination and determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed after this additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to verify her claimed stressors and obtain a new VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected osteoarthritis of the dorsal spine and its impact on employment. The claim for TDIU will also be addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from Workers' Compensation and VA medical records, as well as a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a left knee disorder has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical treatment by City of Canton EMS on April 13, 2010 was denied because the services were not provided in an emergency situation and VA facilities were reasonably available.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder is denied as his Axis I diagnoses are found to be the result of his own willful misconduct.

The Board denied the appellant's claims to reopen his service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for service connection for depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to March 15, 2011 did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for updated VA treatment records, particularly from 2009 and 2010. The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and depression) and sleep disorder are being reviewed.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, diagnosed as anxiety disorder. The Veteran's competent and credible statements regarding his symptoms during and since active service, combined with VA examination opinions linking these symptoms to service, allow for a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal of the initial rating for hematochezia was withdrawn. The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as general anxiety disorder.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder, which is the maximum available under the applicable diagnostic code. The TDIU claim was also granted.