Anxiety decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal involves two issues: (1) seeking an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 70 percent rating for his psychiatric disability, and (2) seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU. The case is being remanded to allow for further development regarding the Veteran's self-employment status during the relevant period.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from March 31, 2009 to April 16, 2012. The disability is of such severity as to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the March 2015 VA examination and a need for further development of the psychiatric residuals of head injury claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for anxiety and depression, as well as PTSD. The evidence submitted since the last denial is considered new and material, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying in-service stressors. The Veteran will also be provided with a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his incarceration at the time of a scheduled Board hearing. The issues include reopening psychiatric disability claims and seeking service connection for various disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and substance abuse. The evidence shows a likely diagnosis of these conditions and a link to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and chronic adjustment disorder are likely related to his in-service stressors, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including antisocial personality disorder and depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, opioid dependence, and mood disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The preponderance of evidence is against finding a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, adjustment disorder, and anxiety disorder, is granted. An initial rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected psychiatric disability (to include PTSD, anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder) is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination for his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, is rated at 10 percent. The rating for residuals of prostate cancer remains at 20 percent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral degenerative disc and joint disease. The Veteran is now entitled to de novo review of his claim, which the Board finds in favor of him as he has presented evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim. Additionally, the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder (PTSD), was remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's GAD has been productive of extreme anxiety, social isolation, a depressed mood, paranoia, avoidant behavior, anger problems, chronic sleep impairment, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, irritability, and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. The Board finds that the schedular criteria for an initial rating of 70 percent for GAD have been met.

The Veteran's GAD with insomnia is rated at 70 percent, effective June 1, 2013. The Board also granted a TDIU effective that date.

The Board found that the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a nose injury and acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, Anxiety Disorder NOS, and Mood Disorder with Depressive and Anxious Features, are not supported by credible evidence. The Veteran's assertions regarding in-service events were deemed unreliable, and there is no medical nexus linking his current disabilities to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims, including a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of any gastrointestinal disorder and anxiety disorder. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board is remanding the claims for diabetes mellitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety disorder), and cirrhosis of the liver to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder will be considered in light of his reported stressors during service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hip disorders, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the claims.