Anxiety decisions — 2015

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, has been rated at 30 percent since August 17, 2007. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 50% for this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a psychiatric condition related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The weight of the evidence is against finding that any such disability had its onset during service or as a result of in-service stressors. As such, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder and any diagnosed condition is not due to or aggravated by an event, disease, or injury incurred during active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and verification of stressor events.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder were not incurred in service, as there was no evidence of a pre-existing psychiatric condition prior to service. The VA examiner could not provide an opinion without resorting to speculation.

The Veteran's claim for a bilateral foot disability, other than peripheral neuropathy, is denied as there is no evidence of such a condition during the pendency of her appeal. The remaining claims are addressed in the REMAND section.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and special monthly compensation are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, but does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating or a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, including symptoms such as sleep impairment, depressed mood, anxiety, short attention span, panic attacks when entering military installations, and self-isolation resulting in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warrants a 30 percent disability rating prior to September 26, 2014.

The Veteran is eligible for a 100% rate of payment under the Post-9/11 GI Bill due to his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU is being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records, conduct a VA Social and Industrial Survey, and determine whether his service-connected psychiatric disorders alone render him unemployable.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, aside from his ischemic optic neuropathy, are of sufficient severity to warrant entitlement to SMC at the (l) level based on the need for A&A due to these disabilities alone. The claim for service connection for minimal age acquired osteoarthritis is being remanded for further development.

The Board has ordered further development to determine if the Veteran had any past diagnosed psychiatric disorders during the appeal period and whether they are related to service. The case will be remanded for a VA examination and opinion regarding these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a cardiovascular disease or an acquired psychiatric disorder related to his active service, including as due to Agent Orange exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a mood disorder. The Board found that there is no evidence linking his current psychiatric condition to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining mental health records and clarifying the VA examiner's opinion regarding the relationship between service and current psychiatric disorders.

The Board found that there is no current psychiatric disability and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder, neck disability (prior to October 18, 2012), and low back strain do not meet or approximate criteria for a higher evaluation. The current evaluations are deemed appropriate.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn due to his satisfaction with the VA's determination, and thus the issue of an increased evaluation for his service-connected psychiatric disability is dismissed.