Anxiety decisions — 2014

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression and PTSD. The initial noncompensable rating assigned for healed laceration with scar of the left hand is maintained.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder. The claim for a higher rating for generalized anxiety disorder remains denied, but TDIU is granted due to combined service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, anxiety disorder, and coronary artery disease. The Board has determined that additional development of the record is necessary.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding a claimed in-service stressor involving an F-105 jet crash, and for obtaining additional medical records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and acute stress reaction, or a digestive disorder. The claim was denied as there is insufficient credible and competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and any other necessary development. The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for psychosis with anxiety will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA psychiatric examination and additional records from 'Lutheran Services'. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is pending.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, with PTSD features and episodic cannabis abuse secondary to PTSD, is currently evaluated at 50 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claim due to insufficient detail in the VA mental health examination report, and further development is needed before deciding on the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, variously diagnosed as adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression and depressive disorder, is granted. Service connection for genitofemoral neuralgia and small corneal scar are denied. The Veteran's mid back strain remains at a maximum of 20 percent prior to December 15, 2010 and 30 percent from that date.

The Board finds that the criteria for an effective date prior to January 3, 2007, for the assignment of a 100% disability evaluation for service-connected Generalized Anxiety with Headaches and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder have not been met.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, anxiety and depression is denied as there is no evidence that his current conditions began during or were caused by his military service from January 2003 to December 2004.

The Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, which was of service onset or is related to any events that occurred in service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, secondary to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), was granted service connection and assigned a 30 percent evaluation effective April 28, 2010. The current claim is for an increased rating.

The Veteran's anxiety and depression have been rated at 70 percent since April 28, 2010. The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for the Veteran's anxiety and depression throughout the appeal period. As a result of this decision, there is no longer any question regarding a TDIU rating as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in that matter.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and adjustment disorder with missed anxiety and depressed mood, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her claims file.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression, were aggravated by his active military service.

The Veteran's depression and anxiety disorder are at least as likely as not attributable to his service-connected tinnitus and insomnia. The Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, and assigned a higher evaluation for PTSD. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at May 22, 1992. TDIU remains pending.