Anxiety decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and anxiety, did not have onset in service or was caused by his active military service, to include his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service treatment records are negative for complaints of, or treatment for, spine, left shoulder, or lung disabilities. The earliest post-service clinical evidence of possible acid reflux is more than twenty years after separation from service.,There is no competent credible evidence of record that reflects that the Veteran has a lung disability causally related to, or aggravated by, service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not incurred in or related to service.,Bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in service and is not otherwise related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder are related to his active duty service, including a fear of hostile military activity in Korea.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection and initial rating of Meniere's disease and anxiety disorder with features of agoraphobia with panic disorder is denied. The effective dates are determined based on the date of receipt of claims or the date entitlement arose, whichever is later.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a depressive disorder not otherwise specified, and tinnitus. The Veteran's experiences during his tours in Iraq are found to be consistent with 'fear of hostile military or terrorist activity' as defined by VA regulations, thus meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's effective date for a 40 percent rating for his left arm disability, TDIU, and DEA benefits is set to January 22, 2007.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, depression, and obsessive compulsive disorder, is granted service connection. The issue of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder and PTSD, is related to his fear of hostile military activity during service. The claim for prostate cancer is remanded for additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's anxiety disorder existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting opinions regarding whether the Veteran's psychiatric disorders are service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and there is no evidence linking his current anxiety disorder to service. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, schedule a VA examination for his acquired psychiatric disorder, and address the issue of TDIU.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and general anxiety disorders have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for akathisia and ataxia, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The claimant is also entitled to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability due to treatment in a VA facility.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is at least as likely as not related to his service or a pre-existing condition. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with anxiety reaction and other conditions, contributed to his death. The appeal for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with panic attacks has been rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The claim for service connection for GERD secondary to his anxiety disorder was granted.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently evaluated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability level.