Anxiety decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no evidence of a psychosis that manifested to a compensable level within one year of the Veteran's discharge from service.

The Veteran's major depression with suicidal tendencies and anxiety are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is denied as there is no evidence of a headache disorder during the pendency of his claim. The claims for increased ratings and service connection for other conditions are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and development of his claims, including a possible TDIU claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of May 26, 2010 for service connection of anxiety disorder (previously diagnosed as PTSD). The decision states that there is no evidence to support a different effective date and that the Veteran did not file his appeal in time.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, GAD, and MDD, did not preexist service, were not first manifested during service, and are not otherwise etiologically related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Congestive Heart Failure, acquired psychiatric disorder (including Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood), and Peptic Ulcer Disorder were not incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression have been rated at 100 percent since June 12, 2014. The initial evaluation was granted to reflect the increased disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as the evidence did not corroborate his reported in-service stressors and there is no medical opinion linking any diagnosed psychiatric disorders to service. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a mental health condition (claimed as anxiety and depression) are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing VA treatment records and providing an adequate VA opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing at the RO due to the Veteran's request. The appeal is also remanded because new and material evidence was presented to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify in-service stressors and obtain treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and sleep disturbance, as well as TDIU, are pending.

The VA determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board also found that it is less likely than not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal of these issues.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include generalized anxiety disorder and finds that it is at least as likely as not caused by or the result of his service. The Veteran's other acquired psychiatric disorders are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's TBI with headaches prior to August 22, 2013 resulted in mild impairment of cognitive functions. After that date, his condition manifested as mild impairment of memory and attention. The Veteran also has a separate service-connected anxiety disorder. The Board found the rating for TBI with headaches was not higher than 40 percent after August 22, 2013, but did not address the claim for anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to his service-connected disabilities is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the relationship between his psychiatric condition and his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of periods of active duty and National Guard service, obtaining medical records, and providing an opinion on whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension are related to his service or any period of ACDUTRA.