Anxiety decisions — 2015

The Veteran is seeking payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Marion General Hospital on October 4, 2012. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain any evidence relating to prior authorization and attempt to get prior authorization prior to the treatment received at Marion General Hospital.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for GERD was granted by the AMC, and thus there remains no justiciable case or controversy before the Board on this issue. The claim is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability has resulted in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks throughout the appeal period, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with his education and occupational experience, effective from July 11, 2013.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial rating higher than 30 percent for anxiety disorder NOS is being remanded due to the failure to issue a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) addressing his claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder have been characterized by total occupational and social impairment since December 2006, warranting a 100 percent rating.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, as it has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim at this time.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and updated medical records. The case will be readjudicated after the development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disorder or right foot disorder, and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied. The claims for dental trauma, lead paint poisoning, gout of bilateral legs, skin disorder due to Agent Orange exposure, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's back condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and anxiety, was denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current psychiatric disability to her military service or any in-service event. Her hearing loss was rated as noncompensable prior to October 9, 2010; from October 9, 2010 to June 3, 2014, it was rated at 20 percent; and thereafter, it was rated at 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to search for classified or formerly-classified service medical and personnel records related to the Veteran's alleged 'black ops' unit in Laos and North Vietnam, as well as his alleged capture and detainment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is not related to his military service, and thus denied the claim for service connection. The issue of secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including eczema, anxiety disorder, diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities (left and right), peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, are found to be disabling enough to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. As such, he is granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining new medical evidence and a VA examination. The issues include higher ratings for various service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified (NOS), has been rated at 50 percent since the rating period on appeal. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is found to be related to his active service. The Board grants the claim of entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's history of congestive heart failure with left ventricular hypertrophy, trace mitral regurgitation, trace tricuspid regurgitation, and mild dilated left atrium is found to be secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding that the acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD, chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and depressive disorder) is related to military service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, alcohol abuse, and anxiety. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of any found psychiatric diagnosis.