Anxiety decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder has been manifested by symptoms including infrequent anxiety attacks, sleep impairment, and irritability, causing occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The criteria for a rating greater than 30 percent have not been met.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA medical records. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being reviewed.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Service Disorder (PTSD) based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran, which was not previously considered in a prior denial of his claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The Veteran's stressors are related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service in Vietnam, and his current diagnoses of PTSD, depression, and anxiety are supported by medical opinions.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including as secondary to service-connected hearing loss, was not established. The Board also denied service connection for tinnitus and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for proper notice regarding service connection based on personal assault and obtaining updated treatment records from the Albuquerque VAMC.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist is currently rated at 10 percent, which does not meet his claim for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and to ensure that all due process requirements are met. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include an anxiety disorder, remains on appeal.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been rated at 30 percent since September 8, 2008 through June 21, 2008, and from August 7, 2008. The rating is effective as of these dates.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Personality Disorder and Mild Mental Impairment.

The Veteran's insomnia is a symptom of his service-connected anxiety disorder and is already rated as part of the 30 percent disability rating assigned for the anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of his current psychiatric disorders.

The Board has expanded the service connection claim to include all of the Veteran's currently diagnosed psychiatric disorders. The case is REMANDED for additional development, including obtaining a VA addendum medical opinion and updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for major depression and anxiety disorder, but denied reopening of his claim for PTSD. The case is being remanded to obtain a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disability other than PTSD had its clinical onset during service.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for a neck disability, back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain inpatient treatment records from the Kadena Air Force Base Hospital and to schedule the Veteran for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a personal hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's combined rating due to service-connected disabilities is 70%, which meets the criteria for a TDIU. However, his unemployability is not due to his service-connected conditions but rather to nonservice-connected cognitive dysfunction and retirement from two careers.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA psychiatric examination and additional medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, specifically anxiety and depression, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection.