Anxiety decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to insufficient evidence to verify in-service stressors and the need for further examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's petition to reopen this claim is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed low back disability that is attributable to service or caused by a service-connected condition. The issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea and anxiety disorder, as well as an increased rating for anxiety disorder, are denied.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, effective September 1, 2010. The Board found that the disability picture does not warrant a higher rating and denied an increased evaluation.

The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic kidney disease and diabetic neuropathy. The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as anxiety disorder NOS and mood disorder NOS, is found to be related to his service. The dental condition claim has been remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and acquired psychiatric disorders, as well as his claim for an increased rating for chronic right ankle sprain with moderate arthrosis were all denied by the RO. The Veteran is currently rated at 20% for his right ankle disability.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety disorder is rated at 100% throughout the appeal period, rendering moot his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that an evaluation in excess of this rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, sleep apnea, and hypertension have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD due to lack of combat experience, and there was no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor. Sleep apnea and hypertension were also not shown to be related to service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD and anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, as these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for his anxiety disorder is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and OCD with symptoms of anxiety, depression, and sexual dysfunction related to the Veteran's in-service personal assaults.,Service connection is established for PTSD and OCD based on a diagnosis related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder have been found to cause total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a VA psychiatric examination. The case will be referred to the Chief Benefits Director or the Director, Compensation and Pension Service, for consideration of whether TDIU on an extraschedular basis is warranted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, effective March 11, 2011. The claims for hypertension and anxiety/depressive disorder were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these claims. Service connection for bilateral knee disorders, hearing loss, tinnitus, hip disorder, ankle disorders, and lumbar spine disorder are all denied.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and reopened the claims for cervical strain and low back pain. The increased rating and TDIU claims are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are related to active service and an audiometric evaluation of his hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder, is being remanded due to the Veteran's inability to attend his scheduled hearing.