Anxiety decisions — 2015

The Veteran's carotid artery disease is currently asymptomatic and does not warrant a compensable rating. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for his anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified (NOS), claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The appeal is now remanded to the AOJ for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination to determine if any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder is due to disease or injury in service. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain missing VA treatment records, verify in-service stressors, and provide a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated as noncompensable since June 4, 2010. Effective November 1, 2011, the Veteran is now rated at 50 percent for his migraine headaches.,From November 1, 2011, the Veteran's service-connected conditions have resulted in a combined disability rating of 70 percent or more, qualifying him for consideration of TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claim can be decided, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a new psychiatric examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood due to incomplete development of evidence. The Veteran is required to provide information about stressors experienced during his time in Panama during Operation Just Cause.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the need for a more recent VA examination and consideration of new treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD, were not incurred in or aggravated by his period of active military service. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current hypertension, thrombocytopenia, and anxiety to service. The claims for these conditions were therefore denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety disorder and depression has been manifested by moderate symptoms including depression, sleep impairment with nightmares, social isolation, auditory and visual hallucinations, mildly impaired short-term memory, irritability, impaired concentration, panic attacks occurring more than once per week, and consistent GAF scores of 55. The criteria for an initial disability rating of 50 percent have been met prior to May 6, 2014; thereafter, the criteria for an increased disability rating in excess of 50 percent have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, are etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected psychiatric disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of anxiety and depression with features of PTSD are related to his military service, resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as it is presumed to be related to his in-service acoustic trauma.,Service connection for anxiety disorder is granted based on a finding of continuity of symptomatology and the Veteran's reported fear of hostile military activity during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and opinions regarding his psychiatric disorders, heart conditions, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining mental health treatment records from the Veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the April 2000 rating decision is not new and material, and thus does not warrant reopening the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for scheduling a video hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. The issues of service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, broken ribs, and back disability are pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, are found to be related to a conceded in-service stressor. Service connection is granted.