Anxiety decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied as the evidence did not show any current symptoms of a psychiatric disorder that would warrant higher disability ratings.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for earlier effective dates and service connection. The Board has determined that the issues are not properly before it due to a lack of an SOC in some cases, and requests for travel hearings have been made but not yet scheduled.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric condition and spinal disorders, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of June 10, 2008. The effective date for the grant of TDIU is set at this time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's drug and alcohol abuse is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected anxiety disorder, thus granting service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including consideration of new evidence and scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and because the outcome of his increased rating claim could impact his TDIU application. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Veteran requested the withdrawal of his appeal, and as a result, the case has been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and service personnel records. The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder is granted, as the evidence is at least in equipoise that his current condition is related to his military service. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than depressive disorder remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, diagnosed as adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, is attributable to service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other diagnoses, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The Board will consider evidence of sexual harassment during service and its potential impact on her current mental health conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting a new examination. The TDIU claim is also part of the pending increased rating claim.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and depression), migraine headaches, left hip disability, and left knee disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety. The Veteran's hepatitis C, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and pain in the right and left sides are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his service-connected conditions or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining verification of a personal assault during service and arranging for a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered part of the same disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination, and considering new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a seizure disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety), and muscle pain are being reviewed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address her acquired psychiatric disorder.