Anxiety decisions — 2015

The appeal is remanded due to insufficient rationale for the VA examiner's opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as a need for a VA psychiatric examination to assess his acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for high cholesterol is denied as it does not constitute a disability. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and depression due to lack of verification of claimed stressors. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral ankle disorder, arthritis of hands, and hypertension will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD, including symptoms of anxiety and depression, has been manifested by reduced reliability and productivity. The Board found that the current rating of 50 percent adequately reflects this level of impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining more recent VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his anxiety disorder NOS and its impact on his ability to work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dysthymia/persistent depressive disorder and anxiety disorder are related to service, while his PTSD is not. The claim for left ear hearing loss disability was withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service, and the appeal for an increased disability rating for PTSD and anxiety disorder was withdrawn prior to a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to obtain medical records, clarify the nature and extent of his psychiatric conditions, and determine if he has any current respiratory or skin disorders. The specific issues on appeal will be addressed once this additional evidence is obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and denied the Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, and service connection for a headache disability.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI and acquired psychiatric disabilities, as the current evidence does not provide an accurate history of his injuries.

The Board has determined that additional substantive development is necessary before further appellate consideration of the claim on appeal, including a search for missing service treatment records and an examination to address the Veteran's TBI, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and ADHD claims.

The Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders of anxiety and depression are found to have been incurred in service, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and an updated VA examination. The Veteran's claim for TDIU will also be considered.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety is currently rated at 50 percent. The effective date for this rating has been set as November 30, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder have been granted a higher initial disability rating of 50 percent, effective from March 11, 2009. The appeal is resolved in the Veteran's favor on this issue.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, GAD, cognitive disorder, and panic disorder, was denied as his symptoms were not linked to any specific in-service stressors or events. The issue of entitlement to service connection for psychosis for the purpose of establishing eligibility for medical treatment has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to verify his National Guard service and obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression, and insomnia, was granted a 50 percent evaluation from May 2, 2010 to March 19, 2014. Since March 20, 2014, the disability has warranted an even higher rating of 50 percent.

The Board denied the requests to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions due to a lack of new and material evidence. The motion for revision or reversal on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) was denied.