Anxiety decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that meets the criteria for such disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for clarification and additional medical opinions regarding the occurrence of in-service personal assaults and the relationship between any diagnosed psychiatric disorders and service.

The Veteran's psychiatric condition, including depression and PTSD, is service-connected.,His headaches are presumed to be related to his Gulf War service.,His left shoulder condition first manifested during service.,His neck condition likely began in-service due to a motor vehicle accident.,Erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability and hypertension.,Obstructive sleep apnea is service-connected.,Hypertension is also service-connected, linked to the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder and entitlement to TDIU due to incomplete consideration of additional evidence, inadequate VA examination, and need for further development.

The Veteran's initial ratings for IBS, Allergic Rhinosinusitis, Major Depressive Disorder with Anxiety Disorder prior to December 9, 2010, and Hypertension have been granted. The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU. Service connection has not been established for the respiratory condition, right knee disability, or hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Anxiety Neurosis was reopened, and both conditions are now considered to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete evidence and need for additional examinations. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, alcoholism, and back disability are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has any current psychiatric disorder related to service, whether he has GERD that is related to his military service or one of his service-connected disabilities, and whether he currently has pterygium in both eyes. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for pterygium will also be remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Veteran's reported in-service stressors are considered, but the third one is already verified. A new VA examination is necessary to determine if PTSD was incurred during service.

The Veteran's current upper, middle and lower back disabilities are found to be related to injuries sustained during service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and anxiety, are related to service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with PTSD symptoms is currently rated at 30 percent, which is less than the maximum benefit available. The Board finds that his disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 8, 1988, for service connection of his acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) has been granted. The rating assigned is 50%.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was reduced from 10 percent to zero percent effective September 1, 2015. The reduction is upheld as the evidence shows sustained material improvement in his hearing acuity under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and a back disorder, finding that there was no evidence of such disorders being related to his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety and mild cognitive impairment, is found to be a result of his service-connected left eye condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder is related to his service as a corrections officer, and thus grants service connection for this condition for purposes of accrued benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including an anxiety disorder and a major depressive disorder, is related to his active duty service. The claim for PTSD was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's initial rating for his service-connected anxiety disorder was denied, but he was granted a TDIU based on the severity of his psychiatric condition and other service-connected disabilities.