Anxiety decisions — 2015

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD, to include major depression with psychotic features and anxiety neurosis. The Board has determined that a Statement of the Case must be issued so the Veteran can understand his appellate rights.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for additional examination. Outstanding treatment records from the Vet Center are also needed.

The Veteran's claims for depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, psychosis, and PTSD have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, service connection has not yet been established for any condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including multiple anxiety and depressive disorders, is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to provide the Veteran with a new VA examination to determine the etiology of any current psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was incurred in service and is presumed to be related. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence supports his claim for service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder NOS and depression, is not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is found to be caused by military service and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hemorrhoids, arthritis of the hands and cervical spine and side-effects of medicine (formerly claimed as osteopathic conditions and side-effects of medicine), diverticulitis, herniated esophagus, bilateral cataracts, presbyopia, and thin spots in the retina, hepatitis, umbilical and groin hernias, impotence, allergies, neurological bladder disease, edema of the lower extremities, residuals of a head injury, sexually transmitted disease, residuals of a throat trauma, hypothyroidism, memory loss, benign prostatic hypertrophy. The Veteran's currently diagnosed bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder not otherwise specified are etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and anxiety disorder were both found to have onset in service, leading to a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining records of hazardous duty pay and confirming the Veteran's unit assignment during service in Korea. The Veteran will also undergo a VA examination to determine if he has PTSD due to any claimed service-related stressor and to determine the nature and etiology of his other psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorder, and depression is being remanded due to the need to verify his reported in-service stressors and obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records. The claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, major depressive disorder, panic disorder and social phobia. The Board finds the VA examinations inadequate due to lack of consideration of relevant in-service documentation and remands the case for another examination.

The Veteran's effective date for reinstatement of VA service-connected disability compensation benefits was December 13, 2011. The appeal is dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination and VCAA notice.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and opinion with respect to the Veteran's claim for psychiatric disorder. The Veteran underwent such an examination in January 2015.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors and to obtain a comprehensive psychiatric examination. The claim will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder and anxiety disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and updated VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that another VA examination and opinion are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, sleep apnea, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The appeal is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding his claimed psychiatric disorders and to provide updated VA treatment records. The case will be further reviewed after these actions are completed.