Anxiety decisions — 2015

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, NOS, were granted a rating of 70 percent effective March 22, 2013. The other claims for service connection and TDIU were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, and Depression, as well as his sleep apnea, are related to events during his service. Therefore, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current PTSD is etiologically related to his military service, and thus, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and further development of his claims, including for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and service connection for depression with anxiety.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have residuals from a TBI and denied service connection for TBI residuals. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for tinnitus, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, GERD, right knee and left leg disabilities, and bilateral hearing loss are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and PTSD were not found to warrant an initial rating in excess of 30 percent, and service connection for the cause of his death was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent disability rating for anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, with PTSD symptoms. The issue of entitlement to a higher rating from February 9, 2004 was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, have been granted. The claim for erectile dysfunction secondary to IBS is also granted.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically headaches and depression, contributed substantially and materially to his death. As such, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a combined schedular evaluation of 100 percent, which qualifies him for consideration of TDIU. The Board has granted the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for her acquired psychiatric disorder is denied as there was no informal or formal claim, or written intent to file a claim for any acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD prior to February 25, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the claims for hepatitis C service connection and anxiety disorder are not before the Board.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding his employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD with anxiety and depression, mild thoracolumbar strain, malaria, and scars, preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran is granted total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from September 29, 2014 forward.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, to include PTSD due to military sexual trauma. The AOJ should also obtain updated VA treatment records from both the Decatur VAMC and Rome VA clinic.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial increased rating for anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected psychiatric disorder and any current leg disability. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has also been raised.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and issues, including cervical spine or neck condition, thoracolumbar spine or back condition, bilateral eye disorder, irritable bowel syndrome and GERD, prostate condition with incontinence, recurring skin lesions and sores, migraine headaches, insomnia, anxiety and depression, and temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ). The appeal is being remanded for further action.