Anxiety decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the increased rating of Generalized Anxiety Disorder is being remanded due to incomplete medical records from his private providers.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for malaria has been withdrawn. The remaining issues of increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II; anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified; and bilateral hearing loss disability are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, MDD, and anxiety, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a disease or injury incurred in service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder, with depression and anxiety, is found to have originated during his period of active duty service.

The Board has decided that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection of PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder. The decision is mixed, with some issues being granted and others not.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge from service was due to willful and persistent misconduct, but is considering whether his mental health issues at the time of discharge could be considered 'insane' under VA regulations. The appeal is being remanded for further examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records. The Veteran may also be required to submit new evidence or waive initial consideration by the AOJ.

The Board found no evidence of a verified in-service stressor for PTSD and concluded that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are not related to his service. The acquired psychiatric disorder is considered directly related to service.

The Veteran's chronic adjustment disorder with anxiety has been productive of symptoms that more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to evaluate his psychiatric disorder and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety, is rated at 50 percent effective July 30, 2012. The gastroesophageal reflux disease remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains for further adjudication.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder and prostate cancer residuals, do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining any form of gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal of these issues prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation higher than 30 percent for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) has been dismissed as the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The rating for the right fourth finger has been restored to 10 percent effective January 1, 2013, and a compensable rating for umbilical hernia has also been granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, attention deficit disorder, social anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder, is currently rated at 50 percent. The rating will remain unchanged as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected and rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. The Board also granted a higher rating for his anxiety disorder, but denied other claims including those for sleep apnea and arthritis.

The Board found that the earliest date VA received communication from the Veteran indicating intent to apply for entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disability, including GAD was February 28, 2008. Therefore, the effective date assigned of February 28, 2008 is upheld.