Anxiety decisions — 2015

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, effective July 25, 2006. The VA has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, providing proper VCAA notice, and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for diabetes mellitus, mood disorder with depression and anxiety, and congestive heart failure as a result of exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on his spouse's need for regular aid and attendance, finding that she requires assistance with activities of daily living due to her physical and mental disabilities. The claims for an increased rating for anxiety disorder and TDIU are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA psychiatric examination and obtaining all relevant VA treatment records. The TDIU claim is also part of the appeal and must be addressed concurrently.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder, which is found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability. The effective date of this decision is not specified as it was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression, is not related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities. Therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to issues with the adequacy of a VA medical opinion and for additional development, including psychiatric examinations.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability was not manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. Therefore, the initial evaluation of 50 percent for the period prior to July 17, 2012 is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression/anxiety, manifested by cold sweats, had its onset in service. The bilateral foot disability (pes planus and plantar fasciitis) was not incurred or aggravated by active service. The bilateral knee disability was not incurred in service, nor is it due to a service-connected disability. The hearing loss disability of either ear was not incurred in service. Tinnitus is presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, anxiety, and PTSD. The Board has decided to remand the case due to a request for a travel board hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's son, C.T.B., is permanently incapable of self-support due to a psychological disorder prior to his 18th birthday and grants benefits on this basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and for VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed psychiatric disabilities and abnormal leg movement disability.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to ensure all relevant evidence is considered in the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety and dysthymic disorder. The case will be remanded for obtaining additional medical records from SSA and SCMMHC.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder and social anxiety was rated at 70 percent prior to April 30, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current panic disorder is causally related to his active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 70 percent for anxiety disorder with PTSD from November 16, 1994 to December 20, 1994; March 1, 1995 to July 13, 1998; July 14, 1998 to June 27, 2004; and August 1, 2004 to August 26, 2007.,The Veteran is granted a TDIU rating prior to August 27, 2007.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, that had its onset or was aggravated during active service. The TDIU claim is also considered inextricably intertwined with the other claims on appeal.