Anxiety decisions — 2015

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is found to be etiologically related to his military service, and the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for a travel or videoconference Board hearing to address the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including anxiety disorder and depression, as well as entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for compensation for generalized anxiety disorder from February 1, 1990 to August 6, 2009 was granted. The RO also awarded a 50 percent rating for the disability as of August 7, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination, clarification of DRO hearing requests, and issuance of a statement of the case for the acne scars issue. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU are also inextricably intertwined with these preliminary matters.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features of depression and anxiety, expressing satisfaction with the current rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for service-connected anxiety and depressive disorders has been withdrawn by his representative.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any claimed conditions, and the evidence does not support service connection for any of her claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim regarding his character of service, but it is not clear whether his service from October 1972 through March 1974 was dishonorable for VA purposes. The decision on this issue remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records. The claims of entitlement to increased ratings for anxiety disorder and TDIU prior to May 22, 2006, as well as DEA eligibility, are pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, including anxiety disorder and dysthymic disorder, have not been found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied the Veteran's claims for PTSD, anxiety disorder, depression, and memory disorder. The effective date for SMC benefits remains May 26, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and examination to address the claims of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and a low back disability. The case will be returned to the Board for readjudication.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and finds that new evidence received since the last final denial supports a finding of etiological relationship to service. The Veteran's schizophrenia and anxiety, NOS, are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA mental disorders examination and obtaining relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the ratings for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Pain Disorder, as well as Traumatic Brain Injury.

The Board has again remanded the Veteran's claim due to insufficient compliance with its previous remand instructions, specifically regarding an opinion on whether her diagnosed psychiatric conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD has caused deficiencies in most areas, including work and social functioning. He is now entitled to a higher initial rating of 70 percent for his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, scheduling a VA examination, and issuing a statement of the case on the issues of service connection for low back disability and psychiatric disorder.